Israeli military activity intensifies on Syrian soil, raising tensions in the region just weeks after the fall of President Assad.
Israel Escalates Military Operations in Syria Following Assad's Ouster
Israel Escalates Military Operations in Syria Following Assad's Ouster
Continued airstrikes and ground raids are drawing international scrutiny amid accusations of cease-fire violations.
In a significant military escalation, the Israeli military has confirmed ongoing "operational raids" in Syria, particularly in the Mount Hermon area. This move comes just weeks after the Assad regime was toppled by rebel forces, leading to an increased military presence from Israel, which is now drawing international condemnation for its actions.
On Sunday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a prominent war monitor, reported that Israeli airstrikes had targeted an ammunition depot in Damascus, attributed to the remnants of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. While the Israeli military has not commented directly on these specific airstrikes, they assert that their operations are necessary to fortify the security of Israeli citizens.
The escalation has brought accusations from the United Nations and various member states, alleging that Israel is breaching the long-standing cease-fire agreement established after the 1973 war between Israel and Syria. This agreement had set up a demilitarized buffer zone to limit military activities along the border.
This surge in military actions coincided with a recent meeting between Israel’s foreign minister, Gideon Sa’ar, and members of the U.N. peacekeeping force tasked with maintaining the cease-fire in the region. Established in 1974, the U.N. Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) has continuously monitored compliance with the cease-fire terms. Following the regime change in Syria, Israeli ground forces have made their first entry into Syrian territory in over fifty years, a move characterized as a violation of the 1974 agreement by U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres.
In response to concerns about security, Sa’ar claimed "extremist armed groups" had attacked UN peacekeepers in the buffer zone, emphasizing the perceived threat that justified Israel's military incursions. Requests for further comments from UNDOF regarding these claims have yet to be addressed, leaving ambiguity surrounding the ongoing tensions in the region.
On Sunday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a prominent war monitor, reported that Israeli airstrikes had targeted an ammunition depot in Damascus, attributed to the remnants of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. While the Israeli military has not commented directly on these specific airstrikes, they assert that their operations are necessary to fortify the security of Israeli citizens.
The escalation has brought accusations from the United Nations and various member states, alleging that Israel is breaching the long-standing cease-fire agreement established after the 1973 war between Israel and Syria. This agreement had set up a demilitarized buffer zone to limit military activities along the border.
This surge in military actions coincided with a recent meeting between Israel’s foreign minister, Gideon Sa’ar, and members of the U.N. peacekeeping force tasked with maintaining the cease-fire in the region. Established in 1974, the U.N. Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) has continuously monitored compliance with the cease-fire terms. Following the regime change in Syria, Israeli ground forces have made their first entry into Syrian territory in over fifty years, a move characterized as a violation of the 1974 agreement by U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres.
In response to concerns about security, Sa’ar claimed "extremist armed groups" had attacked UN peacekeepers in the buffer zone, emphasizing the perceived threat that justified Israel's military incursions. Requests for further comments from UNDOF regarding these claims have yet to be addressed, leaving ambiguity surrounding the ongoing tensions in the region.
