In recent months, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have arrested several individuals in southern Syria suspected of operating in terror cells linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). These suspects were allegedly connected to Unit 840, a secretive division of the IRGC’s Quds Force, which is known for planning attacks against Israel.
According to the IDF, during March and April 2025, two key operatives, Zeidan al-Tawil and Muhammad al-Kuryan, were captured in Syria. Additionally, Israeli forces uncovered more terror cells in the region. These cells were reportedly established by two prominent IRGC members, Salah al-Husseini and Muhammad Shuayb, who were killed in Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon last July. The IDF called them “among the most prominent operatives” responsible for smuggling weapons from Iran into Lebanon, Syria, and the West Bank regions of Judea and Samaria.
Interrogation Insights
Interrogations of the detainees revealed a surprising fact: many of the Syrian suspects did not know the real identities or purposes of their handlers. The IDF stated,
“Their recruitment to work with Unit 840 was in many cases done without revealing the unit’s true motives, but rather through financial bribery.” This shows that recruitment was often based on monetary incentives rather than ideological alignment or political awareness.
Buffer Zone and Ceasefire Status
Israel has maintained a 235-square-kilometer buffer zone along its border with Syria since the regime of Bashar Assad collapsed in December. Israeli forces entered this zone to stop Syrian rebels from approaching the border. The IDF views the 1974 ceasefire agreement between Israel and Syria as void until normal order is restored in Syria.
Separate Airstrike in Southern Lebanon
On Thursday, September 11, 2025, Israel announced another airstrike, this time targeting southern Lebanon. The strike killed Wasim Saeed Jaba’i, described by the IDF as a senior figure in the IRGC’s Imam Hossein Division, which is affiliated with Hezbollah. The Imam Hossein Division, directed by Iran’s Quds Force, has actively fought alongside Hezbollah in its conflict against Israel and continues to operate from Lebanese territory.
The IDF explained Jaba’i’s role: “The terrorist was a central figure in the force-buildup efforts and strengthening of the division, advanced weapons procurement deals, assisted in launching missile and rocket attacks against the State of Israel.”
Furthermore, the military stated that Jaba’i’s work was in violation of existing agreements between Israel and Lebanon and emphasized that Israel will continue its operations to counter threats: “The IDF will continue to operate in order to remove any threat posed to the State of Israel.”
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