Israeli jets carried out air strikes on a military site near Homs city, Syria, on Tuesday, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The Observatory reported explosions in the area, with no immediate information on casualties. This marks the latest in a series of attacks following the fall of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.
Details of the Attack
The Observatory stated, “Israeli air strikes targeted a missile battalion near Homs,” suggesting that the attack aimed to prevent weapons from falling into the hands of the new Syrian authorities, whom Israel considers to be jihadists.
Recent Israeli Strikes in Syria
This strike comes a day after Israeli air strikes targeted the southern city of Daraa, killing three civilians, according to local authorities. Last week, another Israeli air strike in Damascus hit a “command centre” belonging to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group, resulting in one fatality, as reported by the Observatory.
Israel’s Strategy After Assad’s Fall
Since Assad’s overthrow in December, Israel has launched multiple strikes on military sites in Syria to prevent weapons from reaching hostile groups. Additionally, Israel has deployed troops to a UN-patrolled buffer zone on the strategic Golan Heights and has called for the complete demilitarisation of southern Syria to safeguard its territory.
Tensions Remain High
The ongoing strikes highlight Israel’s concerns about the potential threat posed by the new Syrian authorities and militant groups operating in the region. Despite international condemnation, Israel continues to carry out strikes, citing security concerns and the need to maintain regional stability.
