Israeli Air Strikes Reportedly Deplete Syrian Defense Arsenal
Israeli Defense Minister, Israel Katz, recently affirmed the nation's attempt to create a "sterile defense zone" in southern Syria without the need for a standing military presence. This announcement came on the heels of a spree of Israeli air strikes. According to the Israeli military, these strikes obliterated the majority of Syria’s strategic weapons reserves.
In the aftermath of President Bashar al-Assad's government's downfall, Israeli jets carried out over 350 airstrikes within a 48-hour window. Targets included anti-aircraft batteries, military airfields, combat aircraft, missiles, and weapons production sites.
Strategic Strikes Seek to Prevent Weapon Acquisition by Rebel Forces
Additionally, Israeli missile vessels struck Syrian naval facilities at Al-Bayda and Latakia ports. These sites hosted fifteen Syrian naval vehicles.
The widespread strikes across Syria sought to eliminate strategic weapons and military infrastructure, to prevent them from landing into the rebel groups' hands that forced President Assad out of power. Some of these groups trace their origins to movements related to al Qaeda and the Islamic State.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel had no plans to meddle in Syria's internal issues. However, he stressed Israel's intention to safeguard its national security by preventing strategic military assets left by the Syrian army from reaching jihadists.
Post President Assad's departure, Israeli forces moved into the demilitarized zone within Syria which came into existence after the 1973 Arab-Israeli war.
Israeli Military Presence in Syria: Defensive, Not Offensive
While Israeli forces remain in the buffer zone and a few additional locations within proximity, there is no intention of invading Syrian territory further, a military spokesperson confirmed. Entry into Syrian territory is deemed a limited and temporary measure to ensure border security.
Israel recently agreed to a cease-fire in Lebanon after weeks of battle with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah movement. The Israeli strikes in Syria bear a resemblance to a similar attack in southern Lebanon in September that significantly reduced Hezbollah's missile reserves.
According to the Israeli military, the strikes struck the majority of strategic weapons reserves in Syria, including production sites in Damascus, Homs, Latakia, Tartus, and Palmyra, and various military hardware.
As the fall of Assad, an ally of Israel's primary adversary, Iran, has been welcomed, Israel remains wary of the chief rebel faction, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which has roots in Islamist movements such as al Qaeda and the Islamic State.
Defense Minister Israel Katz did not disclose details of the "sterile defense zone" being phased in southern Syria, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized the readiness for a dialogue with the new regime in Syria barring any weapon transfer to Hezbollah or any direct attacks on Israel.
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