“Israel targets Hezbollah’s Mohammed Srur in Beirut drone strike offensive.
Hezbollah aerial forces commander Mohammed Srur, also known as Abu Saleh, was a prominent figure in the militant group’s operations. A mathematics student by background, Srur applied his academic knowledge to enhance Hezbollah’s drone warfare capabilities. His expertise extended beyond Lebanon, as he played a key role in training Yemen’s Houthi rebels, transferring vital knowledge on aerial combat and unmanned drone technology. This made Srur a significant asset not only for Hezbollah but also for its regional allies. His assassination in a recent Israeli strike marks a major blow to Hezbollah’s aerial capabilities and its regional strategic reach.
The Israeli military on Thursday killed Hezbollah drone commander Mohammed Srur, aka Abu Saleh, in an airstrike on a Beirut apartment building. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) released a video of the attack and said that the mission was carried out by the Israeli Air Force and the Intelligence Division.
It said the strike was carried out in the Hezbollah stronghold of Dahiyeh. located under civilian buildings in the capitals and other areas in Lebanon,” the IDF said in a statement.
The Israeli military carried out a significant operation on Thursday, killing Hezbollah’s drone commander, Mohammed Srur, also known as Abu Saleh, in an airstrike that targeted a residential building in Beirut. This precision strike marks a new phase in Israel’s ongoing confrontation with Hezbollah, as tensions between the two parties continue to escalate. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed the operation, stating that it was a joint effort involving the Israeli Air Force and the Intelligence Division.
The IDF released a video showing the exact moment the strike took place, confirming that the mission was conducted in the Hezbollah stronghold of Dahiyeh, a southern suburb of Beirut. The area is known to be a central base for Hezbollah operations, where the militant group has long maintained a presence amidst densely populated civilian areas. In its official statement, the IDF explained that Srur had been a central figure in Hezbollah’s drone warfare capabilities and was involved in the production and development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in Lebanon.
Some of these facilities were located under civilian buildings in Beirut and other areas across Lebanon,” the IDF said in a statement following the strike. The statement underlines the extensive infrastructure Hezbollah has allegedly built within urban environments, a tactic that has drawn criticism from Israel for using civilians as human shields.
Mohammed Srur, often referred to by his nom de guerre, Abu Saleh, was considered a highly influential figure within Hezbollah’s military hierarchy. His expertise in drone technology and unmanned systems made him a valuable asset, not only for Hezbollah but also for its allies in the region, particularly Yemen’s Houthi rebels. Srur reportedly provided training to the Houthis, enhancing their drone capabilities, which have been used in the ongoing conflict in Yemen.
This airstrike is part of Israel’s broader strategy to weaken Hezbollah’s military infrastructure, particularly its growing drone capabilities, which are seen as a significant threat to Israeli security. Hezbollah’s drone program has evolved over the years, reportedly receiving support from Iran, and has become a core element of the group’s offensive and surveillance operations.
The strike on Srur came just days after another major operation in the same area. The IDF had previously targeted and killed Ibrahim Aqil, the commander of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force, along with several other senior Hezbollah commanders in a separate airstrike. Aqil was a key figure within Hezbollah’s military wing and had been involved in some of the group’s most high-profile operations, including those targeting Israeli forces.
The two airstrikes have raised tensions in the region, with Hezbollah vowing to retaliate against Israeli aggression. The militant group, which holds significant political and military power in Lebanon, has long maintained a state of hostility with Israel, leading to frequent skirmishes and exchanges of fire along the Israel-Lebanon border. Hezbollah’s drone program, in particular, has been a growing concern for Israel, given the potential for UAVs to carry out attacks against Israeli targets.
The Lebanese government and Hezbollah have condemned the Israeli airstrikes, accusing Israel of violating Lebanese sovereignty. The Lebanese Health Ministry reported that two people were killed in the Beirut strikes, and local officials stated that three missiles had targeted a residential apartment in a 10-storey building in Dahiyeh. The attack has raised concerns about civilian casualties and the broader impact on Beirut’s densely populated neighborhoods.
For Israel, the strike represents a calculated move to disrupt Hezbollah’s military capabilities without triggering an all-out conflict. However, the risk of escalation remains high. Hezbollah’s leadership has not shied away from using retaliatory strikes against Israeli military and civilian targets in the past, and the recent killings of high-ranking figures like Srur and Aqil may push the group to take action.
The airstrike also reflects Israel’s broader strategy of preemptive strikes against what it perceives as imminent threats. Over the past decade, Israel has conducted numerous operations targeting Hezbollah and Iranian interests in Syria and Lebanon, with a particular focus on preventing the transfer of advanced weapons and technology to Hezbollah. These operations have included airstrikes on weapons convoys, arms depots, and military personnel associated with Hezbollah and Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Hezbollah’s drone program is one of the most concerning developments for Israeli defense planners. While Hezbollah’s drone fleet is not as sophisticated as that of nation-states like the United States or Israel, the group has steadily improved its capabilities, using both Iranian-made drones and indigenous designs. Drones offer Hezbollah a relatively low-cost means of conducting surveillance and, potentially, launching attacks deep into Israeli territory.
In response to the strikes, Hezbollah is likely to weigh its options carefully. The group has previously engaged in limited retaliatory actions, often targeting Israeli military positions near the border, but it has refrained from launching large-scale attacks that could provoke a full-scale conflict. However, the killing of figures like Srur and Aqil, both of whom were seen as instrumental in Hezbollah’s military operations, may pressure the group into a stronger response.
For now, Israel’s strikes against Hezbollah’s drone infrastructure are part of a larger, ongoing effort to weaken the group’s military strength, but the situation remains highly volatile. The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel has the potential to escalate, especially with both sides locked in a cycle of retaliation that shows no signs of abating.