Israel Intensifies Airstrikes in Syria After Assad's Regime Collapse
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Damascus, Dec 10 (NationPress) Israel has significantly escalated its airstrike operations throughout Syria and has undertaken major ground missions aimed at critical military assets, following the collapse of President Bashar al-Assad's administration, according to a war monitoring group on Tuesday.
The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights indicated that Israeli armored units were stationed approximately 25 kilometers from Damascus on Tuesday morning. However, an official from the Israeli military refuted claims of any troop movements beyond the designated demilitarized zone.
"The information circulating in the media regarding the purported movement of Israeli tanks towards Damascus is inaccurate. IDF forces remain positioned within the buffer zone, as we have previously reported," an Israeli Defense Forces spokesperson stated, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
The Observatory has recorded at least 310 Israeli airstrikes in recent days, targeting military facilities associated with the now-defunct Syrian army. Targets have included airfields, munitions depots, and strategic locations, notably near Damascus, Salamiyah in Hama province, and the Qalamoun mountains.
Israel confirmed that it conducted extensive strikes across Syria on Monday as opposition forces proclaimed control over Damascus following Assad's ousting. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu characterized these events as a transformation of the Middle East, attributing Assad's downfall to Israeli operations against Hezbollah, Hamas, and Iran.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar stated on Monday that the strikes were intended to neutralize weaponry and chemical facilities to prevent their capture by rebel groups. "We are taking measures to ensure these capabilities do not end up in the wrong hands," Sa'ar declared at a press conference.
Meanwhile, the General Command of opposition fighters in Damascus denied allegations of Israeli incursions or covert agreements with the Syrian opposition. They stressed the significance of Syria's territorial integrity and pledged to maintain it under a new government that adheres to international law.
Israel's recent actions are consistent with its long-standing objective of curbing Iranian influence in Syria. Analysts suggest that the strikes are aimed at dismantling remaining threats, including advanced weapon systems and militias connected to the Assad regime.
This incursion has faced backlash from regional nations, including Iran, Iraq, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, with the global community urging respect for Syria's sovereignty.
The intricate conflict in Syria, marked by civil strife and foreign interventions, has entered a new chapter with Assad's unexpected removal. Israel, which has consistently opposed Iranian presence in Syria, appears to be neutralizing potential threats amid this transitional period.
