What Facilities Could Be the Target of a Potential Missile Attack on Syria?

"Very soon or not so soon"; this was the most controversial tweet from Donald Trump, the President of the United States, in the days leading up to the missile attack by the US, Britain, and France against targets in Syria to punish "Animal Assad." The attack ultimately took place in the early hours of Saturday, April 14. Although the facilities targeted in this missile attack have not yet been officially announced. Trump's description of the missiles as "modern, beautiful, and smart" was intended to punish Bashar Assad, who was called back to Syria from his specialized ophthalmology studies in Britain to take over from his tyrannical father, Hafez Assad. Many in the West described him as a "modern symbol" of Arab world governments, but his actions and policies have led to the deaths of nearly half a million Syrians, injuries to over a million, the flight of millions more, and severe destruction in Syria, resulting in a prolonged war that continues to this day and has had profound effects across the region and even the world. The US and part of the international community are outraged by the chemical attacks last Sunday against civilians in the city of Douma, in Eastern Ghouta, on the outskirts of Damascus, but Syria, relying on firm support from Russia, described it as "fake" in an attempt to save itself from the Western countries' attack. However, Bashar Assad's government, which has recently seen itself in a position of power, did not sit idly by hoping for Russia or trying to create doubt in the hearts of American politicians; Arab world media was filled with reports of Assad's military fleeing, evacuating almost all military bases, airports, and other significant and insignificant targets, and hiding Hezbollah militants while Iranian military personnel, who the Islamic Republic claims are present in a "consultative" role in Syria, have seen their casualties increase in recent days following a recent attack attributed to Israel. But what potential facilities could the US target to punish "Animal Assad"? This question has been discussed in several Pentagon and US government meetings in recent days, and General James Mattis, the Secretary of Defense, had presented the necessary plans to his boss. In this context, prior to the Saturday morning attack, US and Western media speculated about a "database" of potential targets for attacks, with CNBC providing a detailed report on this matter on Thursday. Here is a brief summary of locations that could have been targeted by the "modern, beautiful, and smart" missiles of the US military: Chemical Weapons Facilities: Masyaf Research Center in one of the ancient cities in western Syria. According to intelligence reports, chlorine gas and chemical bomb barrels have been produced at this location; also, according to Western media reports, Israel bombed this facility and its nearby ground-to-ground missile warehouse in September 2017, but this military center continues to operate. Jamaraya Research Center: Western intelligence services consider this location one of three chemical weapons production sites, while the Assad government claims it is its civilian research complex. Barzeh Center: According to Western reports, chemical materials are used to fill long-range missile warheads and artillery here. The intelligence service of "a UN member state" (whose name was not mentioned) claimed that North Korean engineers are involved in activating chemical weapons sites in Barzeh, Adra, and Hama in Syria. Air Bases: Hmeimim; this airport has been the main base for the Russian Air Force in Syria since September 2015 when Russia intervened militarily to assist Syria; this base includes many fighter jets and military equipment. However, it seems that the US will not engage with Russia, and thus the likelihood of an attack on Hmeimim is very low, especially since S-300 and S-400 defense systems protect the base. Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, issued an order for the withdrawal of some Russian forces during an unexpected visit to the Syrian port of Latakia last year, stating that his country's mission in Syria is nearly complete. However, Russia has emphasized that the Hmeimim base will remain active. For many, it is a certainty that Russia will not easily leave Syria. T-4 (or Al-Tiyas); this is one of the central and large air bases in Syria, located west of the ancient city of Palmyra in Homs province, which reportedly has 60 bunkers and four squadrons active. Israel officially confirmed in February 2018 that it bombed this location in response to an "Iranian drone" that had taken off from T-4. Russia claims that the airstrike on this base this week was also carried out by Israel. According to Western and Israeli intelligence reports, a large number of Iranian military personnel are present at this base, but Russian military forces are also active there; news agencies close to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard have unprecedentedly published images of this location after the bombing this week. Many reports indicate that Syrian military aircraft, especially after the chemical attacks attributed to Syria in Douma, have been evacuated from the T-4 base out of fear of potential US attacks and have been relocated closer to Russian forces in Syria for safety. Al-Zamir Base; this air facility and airport, located 40 kilometers northeast of Damascus, is speculated to have been an airport from which Syrian helicopters repeatedly took off with barrels containing chemical materials. Several two-engine Mi-8 transport helicopters made in Russia were based at this facility. Shayrat; in April 2017, under Donald Trump's orders, in response to a chemical attack attributed to the Assad army at Khan Sheikhoun, the Shayrat base was bombed. 59 Tomahawk missiles fired from US military ships in the Middle East hit Shayrat; each Tomahawk was fired at a target, including a watchtower, command building, refueling stations, and radar infrastructure. The attack lasted only 40 minutes, but Shayrat was largely repaired and continued to operate after that heavy blow. Naval Bases: Tartus; the Russian Navy command is located at this base, and Mr. Putin reportedly intends to increase Russia's presence at this base. Recent satellite images show Syrian warships leaving Tartus due to fears of a potential US attack. Images from the Israeli satellite company "ImageSat" showed at least 11 Russian warships, including the heavy frigate Admiral Grigorovich, leaving the Tartus base, which is protected by S-300 and S-400 systems. Other Targets: Al-Kaswa; the Iranian "consultant" military headquarters is located in this Syrian military camp 14 kilometers south of Damascus; Western and Israeli intelligence assessments claim that 15,000 forces affiliated with Iran, including Iranian military personnel and Afghan and Pakistani Shiites sent by Iran, are commanded from Al-Kaswa. Bashar Assad's presidential palace in Damascus; Syria has rejected numerous claims circulating on social media about Bashar Assad leaving Syria due to fears of a US attack; it seems these claims are not true, as he met with Ali Akbar Velayati, advisor to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, during his visit to Syria this week; however, it is unclear whether Assad, his wife Asma, and their three children still spend nights in this palace, which is also equipped with anti-defense missiles. Israel has stated that it will not participate in any potential US military operations against Syria but will always act against specific targets; however, Israel explicitly warned Iran on Wednesday that if it or its allies attack Israel, Assad's government will be finished, and Assad himself will be destroyed. In contrast, while Syria has remained silent, Iran has called for a challenger, and Ali Shirazi, representative of the Supreme Leader in the Quds Force of the IRGC, said on Thursday that if Israel "makes a mistake"; Tel Aviv and Haifa will be leveled to the ground.