Israeli Air Force (IAF) fighter jets struck Syria on Sunday in a series of heavy airstrikes intended to destroy critical military and strategic targets. These attacks followed Israeli concerns that, when President Bashar al-Assad‘s regime falls, Syrian weapons would be transferred tohostile groups.
Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) simultaneously captured the buffer zone in Golan Heights, thereby gaining a strategic advantage on the Israel-Syria border. The airstrikes, comprising dozens of Israeli aircraft, focused on advanced missile storage facilities, air defence systems, and weapons production facilities. The operations were aimed at destroying the threats posed by the crumbling Assad regime and its remaining military forces in strategic areas.
Key Targets Struck in the Airstrikes
Among the major objectives that the airstrikes hit included the Khalkhala airbase close to Sweida and the Mezzeh airbase in Damascus. Reports from The Times of Israel said that Syrian army troops had abandoned Khalkhala just a night before the attack. This airbase had vital stockpiles of missiles and air defence batteries, which made it a significant target for Israeli forces. It then bombed the capital city, Damascus, hitting several sites, including a government research facility associated with missile production and a security complex in Kafr Sousa.
These operations have expanded to the south in Syria, striking Daraa and Suwayda Governorates, where significant military infrastructure and data storage sites exist. Local media indicated these strikes were aimed at blocking rebel forces from securing critical military assets in those regions.
IDF Establishes Buffer Zone in Golan Heights
In addition to this, the IDF also had a ground attack in capturing the buffer zone at the Israeli-Syrian border. This was the first strong Israeli military deployment since the Disengagement Agreement of 1974 thathad for years kept both countries from war. The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that the military operation hadbecome inevitable due to the collapse of Syrian forces and to ensure Israel’s security across its northern border.
In a turn of events, Israeli soldiers of the elite Shaldag Unit swiftly took over the summit of Mount Hermon. No resistance was faced in it. Pictures of the soldiers planting the flag of Israel upon the summit went viral instantly on social media and emerged as a symbolic victory to the war.
Downfall of Assad Regime and Isreali Involvement
Following this surprise fall of the regime that had been in place for over 50 years under the Assad family, there is an escalation of the military activities as the fall has destabilised Syria and there is a power vacuum in place, which presents an immense security threat to Israel. As a result, the country has increased its military operations to secure its borders and stop the spillover of instability from Syria to the region.
The situation in Syria remains fluid, and the sudden collapse of the Assad regime adds complexity to the effort of making peace. The Israeli operation continues as the country seeks to neutralize all potential threats from the collapsing Syrian state.
