Israel Warns Attempts to Establish Syrian Military Presence in Southern Security Zone to Be ‘Met with Fire’
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has warned that “any attempt by the Syrian regime forces and the country’s terrorist organizations to establish themselves in the security zone in southern Syria will be met with fire.”
The statement comes amid reports of ongoing Israeli airstrikes around Damascus.
Katz confirmed that the Israeli forces are now “attacking strongly” in southern Syria as part of a “new policy” to pacify the region. “We will not endanger the security of our citizens,” he added.
On Tuesday, additional airstrikes believed to be carried out by Israel, were reported in Quneitra and Daraa, located in the southwest of Syria. Unconfirmed reports also claimed that Israeli forces advanced into the northern part of Quneitra Governorate, deploying military vehicles and equipment.
In a statement on Tuesday, the IDF said it targeted military sites including command centers and several weapon storage locations, in southern Syria.
“The presence of military forces and assets in the southern part of Syria pose a threat to Israeli civilians. The IDF will continue to operate in order to remove any threat to Israelis,” IDF said in a post on X.
The recent Israeli operations occurred amid the ongoing Syria’s national dialogue conference in Damascus, where approximately 600 participants convened to discuss the nation’s future following the ousting of former President Bashar al-Assad by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in December.
The conference’s closing statement condemned Israel’s incursions into Syrian territory, labeling them as blatant violations of sovereignty, and called for the immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces.
During a military graduation earlier this week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that Israel will not allow Syria’s new army or the rebel group that toppled the Assad regime to enter the area south of Damascus.
“We demand the complete demilitarization of southern Syria in the provinces of Quneitra,
Daraa and Suwayda from the forces of the new regime. Likewise, we will not tolerate any threat to the Druze community in southern Syria,” Netanyahu said.
