Israel has officially acknowledged conducting strikes against Syria’s naval fleet, a move aligned with its strategy to dismantle military capabilities within the nation following the collapse of the Assad regime.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) announced that its naval forces targeted the ports of Al-Bayda and Latakia on Monday night, where a total of 15 vessels were present.
Videos verified by the BBC depict explosions at the port of Latakia, revealing significant damage to vessels and various sections of the port.
The Israel Defence Forces reported that its aircraft have carried out over 350 airstrikes on various targets throughout Syria, simultaneously deploying ground forces into the demilitarised buffer zone that separates Syria from the occupied Golan Heights.
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that it has recorded over 310 strikes conducted by the IDF following the overthrow of the Syrian government by rebels on Sunday.
Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, stated that the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) are focused on eliminating strategic capabilities that pose a threat to the State of Israel.
He stated that the mission to eliminate the Syrian fleet was a “great success.”
The Israel Defence Forces reported that a diverse array of targets were hit, encompassing airfields, military vehicles, anti-aircraft systems, and arms production facilities located in the Syrian capital of Damascus, along with Homs, Tartus, and Palmyra.
The operation aimed explicitly at weapon warehouses, ammunition depots, and numerous sea-to-sea missiles.
The organization stated that its actions were taken to ensure that these items do not end up in the possession of extremists.
In a recent video address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stern warning to the Syrian rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which has displaced President Bashar al-Assad. He emphasized that Israel would take decisive action should they permit Iran to regain a foothold in Syria.
The individual has previously articulated a wish for amicable relations with the newly established Syrian government, framing its actions as defensive measures.
Rami Abdul Rahman, the founder of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, characterized the effects of the strikes as devastating, claiming they have obliterated “all the capabilities of the Syrian army” and asserting that “Syrian lands are being violated.”
In a significant development, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have acknowledged the deployment of troops within Syrian territory, extending beyond the established buffer zone adjacent to the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
The Israel Defence Forces confirmed that its soldiers had crossed into Syrian territory but stated to the BBC that claims of tanks nearing Damascus were “false.”
Reports indicate that certain troops have been deployed within the Area of Separation adjacent to the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, along with a few other locations.
“When we refer to a few additional points, we are discussing the Area of Separation or the buffer zone in the vicinity,” stated IDF spokesperson Nadav Shoshani in an interview with the BBC.
BBC Verify has pinpointed the location of an image depicting an IDF soldier positioned slightly more than half a kilometer past the demilitarised buffer zone in the Golan Heights, situated on a hillside close to the village of Kwdana in Syria.
On Monday, the Israeli military unveiled images of its forces that moved from the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights into the demilitarised buffer zone in Syria. In this area, UN peacekeepers are stationed.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Monday that the IDF’s takeover of Syrian positions in the buffer zone serves as a “temporary defensive position until a suitable arrangement is found.”
A key objective is to establish neighborly and peaceful relations with the emerging forces in Syria. “However, if we fail to act, we will take all necessary measures to protect the State of Israel and its borders,” he stated on Monday.
The Turkish foreign ministry has issued a strong condemnation of Israel’s incursion into the buffer zone, characterizing it as an expression of an “occupying mentality.” This statement comes at a critical juncture, as the potential for achieving the long-sought peace and stability the Syrian people desire appears to be within reach.
The buffer zone, the Area of Separation, was established in 1974 as a component of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Syria. This measure aimed to maintain a division between Israeli and Syrian forces in the aftermath of Israel’s occupation of the Golan Heights.
In 1981, Israel took the significant step of unilaterally annexing the Golan Heights. The action did not receive international recognition, despite the United States taking unilateral steps to acknowledge it in 2019.
In response to inquiries regarding the IDF strikes that occurred on Monday night, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar emphasized that Israel’s primary focus is the defense of its citizens.
“We target strategic weapons systems, such as remaining chemical weapons and long-range missiles, to prevent them from falling into the hands of extremists,” he stated.
On Monday, the United Nations’ chemical watchdog issued a warning to Syrian authorities regarding the need to secure suspected stockpiles of chemical weapons.
The exact location and quantity of chemical weapons in Syria remain uncertain, though it is widely believed that former President Assad maintained significant stockpiles.
Following the capture of Damascus by Syrian rebel fighters, Israel has launched attacks in response, as reports indicate that Assad has fled the country, allegedly seeking refuge in Russia. Since 1971, he, along with his father before him, has held power in the country.
In the early hours of Sunday, forces associated with the Islamist opposition group HTS made their way into Damascus, subsequently appearing on state television to announce that Syria was now “free.”
