The Israeli military launched airstrikes in southern Syria aimed at military targets shortly after Syria's new leadership demanded Israel's withdrawal from occupied territories. This action aligns with Israel's "new policy" of demilitarizing southern Syria, which was condemned by the Syrian government as a violation of sovereignty.
Escalating Tensions: Israel's Strikes in Southern Syria
Escalating Tensions: Israel's Strikes in Southern Syria
Israel conducts airstrikes in southern Syria targeting military sites, prompting swift condemnation from the new Syrian government.
The Israeli military confirmed on Tuesday that it had conducted airstrikes targeting sites in southern Syria, just hours after the newly established Syrian government issued a call for Israel to withdraw from territories it has occupied since the collapse of the Assad regime. The airstrikes reportedly targeted military installations and weapon depots, with the Israeli military stating that such military presence in southern Syria posed a threat to Israeli citizens.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared that these operations were part of a "new policy" aimed at establishing a "demilitarized" zone in southern Syria. He emphasized that any attempts by Syrian forces or allied militant groups to assert a presence in what Israel identifies as its "security zone" would face military action. This policy was initially laid out by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a speech on Sunday where he called for the complete demilitarization of the region.
In response, the new interim president of Syria, Ahmed al-Shara, addressed a national unity conference in Damascus, which aimed to achieve a consensus on the nation's political and economic direction. The conference culminated in a statement denouncing Israeli incursions and rejecting Netanyahu's assertive rhetoric, labeling it as provocative.
Syria's interim government has condemned Israel's military operations as violations of its sovereignty and has called for the international community to exert pressure on Israel to cease its military aggression. The rising tensions highlight the precarious situation in the region, with concerns that ongoing hostilities could escalate further.
