Egypt Daily News – The Israeli army announced today that its forces are deployed in areas of southern Syria, affirming their full readiness to prevent any attempt by hostile forces to approach areas near the Israeli border.
In an official statement, the army said: “We are closely monitoring developments on the Syrian front and continue to enhance readiness to deal with various potential scenarios,” referring to possible escalation or military movements in southern Syria.
Army leadership confirmed that the security situation on the northern front is “under control,” but emphasized that operational alertness remains high in anticipation of any sudden changes in the region. A spokesperson added that the recent strikes in Syria targeted weapons sites that posed a threat to Israel, and mentioned encounters with what he called “saboteurs” during the operations, which the army keeps vague “to surprise the enemy, our actions will speak for themselves.”
Last night, Wednesday, Israel killed 9 civilians and injured 23 others in an airstrike on Daraa province in the south, and also carried out air raids on the countryside of Damascus, Hama, and Homs, according to Syria’s official news agency.
The Israeli army stated that it “targeted remaining military capabilities in the areas of Hama and T4 bases (in Homs), and remaining military infrastructure around Damascus.” Syrian military sources told Al Jazeera that Israeli aircraft struck multiple sites in Damascus, Homs, and Hama, including the Scientific Studies and Research Center building in Barzeh district in Damascus.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Syria that it would pay a very heavy price if it allowed hostile forces to enter Syrian territory and endanger Israeli security interests. Katz said the Israeli Air Force’s operations in Syria serve as a warning for the future, and that Israel will not allow any harm to its security.
Since the fall of the ousted president Bashar al-Assad on December 8, Israel has carried out hundreds of airstrikes on Syrian military sites.
Israel had for years conducted air raids on Syria during Assad’s rule, targeting what it described as Iranian-linked military facilities and weapons transfers from Tehran to Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Following Assad’s fall, the Israeli army advanced into the demilitarized buffer zone in the Golan Heights—located along the edge of the part of the Syrian plateau occupied by Israel—took control of the area, and expanded beyond it.
