Israel Launches Airstrikes in Syria Amidst Rising Tensions

Recent Israeli military strikes and ground operations signal a precarious situation in Syria as the country navigates post-civil war dynamics.

Israeli forces have launched a series of airstrikes on Syria's coast and conducted ground raids in the southern regions amid growing tensions with the nation’s new government following the civil war. The focus of these operations appears to be centered on preventing the Assad regime from acquiring weapons that could empower hostile factions against Israel.

On a recent evening, the Israeli military confirmed it had targeted a weapons storage facility located in Qardaha—former President Bashar al-Assad's birthplace—close to a significant Russian air base near Latakia. Syria's state news agency SANA reported no immediate casualties from these operations.

In a swift continuation of military action, Israeli ground troops executed incursions into two southern Syrian towns several hours later. Reports from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights indicated that the military sealed roads and conducted searches of military installations, resulting in the destruction of several warehouses before retreating.

These strikes come on the heels of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's call for the “complete demilitarization” of southern Syria, aimed at curbing the influence of the new Syrian regime. Since the Assad regime fell in December after a rapid rebel offensive, Israel has intensified its airstrike campaign—conducting hundreds of attacks aimed at preventing the potential escalation of threats from unsecured weapons.

Additionally, Israeli forces have established themselves within a United Nations-monitored demilitarized zone along the border, conducting operations in southern Syrian villages. Many locals express concern that these actions could lead to a more prolonged military presence in the region.

In response to the incursions, Syria's newly formed government has declared that Israel is infringing upon its sovereignty. The international community has condemned these actions, with the United Nations emphasizing the need for Syria’s territorial integrity to be restored.

Following recent clashes between Syrian officers and armed groups near Damascus, Netanyahu emphasized the need to protect the Druse minority from the new administration—a sentiment that was not shared by the Syrian Druse community and government leaders. Meanwhile, Syria's interim president, Ahmed al-Shara, has consistently reiterated the country’s intention to avoid conflict with Israel.

During a recent two-day national dialogue conference in Damascus, aimed at establishing an inclusive government, the closing statement openly rejected Israel's demands regarding the presence of Syrian armed forces in the southern region. However, it remains uncertain how the new government will navigate the precarious situation presented by Israel's demands.