A screen capture from a video purporting to show the aftermath of an Israeli strike on a research facility in the Masyaf area of northwest Syria on July 22, 2018. (Screen capture: Twitter)
Aziz Asbar, the head of the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Center (SSRC), died after an IED had hit his car in the village of Masyaf in the western part of Hama province.
According to reports, the incident took place overnight on August 5 and Asbar’s driver was also killed in the attack.
Multiple pro-government sources and media have already linked the August 5 incident with activity of Israeli special services in Syria. However, no evidence has been provided to confirm these claims.
The SSRC is a Syrian government research agency, which is according to the US-Israeli-led bloc is actively involved in the development of missile and even chemical weapons.
The Damascus government has been strictly rejecting accusations of stocking, developing or using chemical weapons since it employed its agreement with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons aimed at destroying Damascus’ chemical weapons stockpile.
It’s interesting to note that besides the SSRC, there are a few other military-linked research and development bodies in Masyaf. On July 22, Arab media reported that one of these targets were attacked by the Israeli Air Force.
#Pt. Update: local sources say 10 missiles were fired by #Israel. At least 6 hit the military complex N. of #Masyaf. Video shows air defenses in action. #Syria. pic.twitter.com/oTMLjX4alS
— Qalaat Al Mudiq (@QalaatAlMudiq) 22 July 2018
