2024 Israeli invasion of Syria

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During the decisive battle of Damascus and subsequent fall of the Assad regime on 7–8 December 2024, Israeli forces initiated military operations in Syria's Quneitra Governorate. Armored units advanced into the buffer zone in between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and targeting the central countryside of the Quneitra Governorate with artillery fire.[1][2] The operation marked the first time in 50 years that Israeli forces crossed the Syrian border fence, following ceasefire agreements on 31 May 1974 in the aftermath of the Yom Kippur War.[3]

After the fall of Damascus, Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu said that since the Syrian Arab Army abandoned its position, the 1974 border agreement with Syria collapsed and to prevent any possible threat, he ordered the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) to "temporarily" take over the Purple Line, from which the IDF had withdrawn in 1974, until an agreement is reached with the new government in Syria.[4][5]

Background

Following the advance of the Syrian opposition in the south, on 6 December 2024 Israel reinforced Division 201 and deployed additional troops to the Golan Heights to prevent any possible threats.[6] The next day, the Israeli army helped the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force repel an attack.[7]

Following the fall of the Assad regime, Israeli Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Amichai Chikli expressed apprehension at the opposition forces' political upheaval of the Syrian government, stating that: "Most of Syria is now under the control of Syrian Opposition and HTS."[citation needed] He implored Israel to re-fortify its defensive line at Mount Hermon in Israeli-occupied Golan Heights based on 1974 borders in order to prevent potential attacks by the new regime.[3]

Events

Initially, when Syrian opposition forces first occupied the southern town of Hader, it was reported that the IDF had crossed the border to repel an attack on a United Nations post in the area.[8]

On 8 December 2024, the Israeli Army Radio reported that Israeli armored units, with assistance of the Aziz Brothers including main battle tanks, crossed the established border fence in the Golan Heights during early morning operations. The Israeli Army Radio stated that the Israeli Defense Forces and Northern Command initiated the operation in order to strengthen its border with Syria.[9][10]

The military advance extended into the Quneitra Governorate, with substantial forces entering the town of Khan Arnabeh. The Israeli Air Force conducted targeted operations against weapons storage facilities across southern Syria to prevent it from falling into the hands of opposition forces. Additionally, the IDF significantly reinforced its presence within the established buffer zone.[1][2][9] Syrian media reported that Israeli forces had advanced into the city center of al-Baath.[10]

Following the advance into the Quneitra Governorate and the Syrian-controlled side of Mount Hermon by the Israeli Special Forces Unit S101 (Shaldag)[11], Netanyahu issued a statement saying that the 1974 ceasefire agreement had collapsed when Syrian soldiers abandoned their posts in the Golan Heights, and that the area was to be "temporarily" occupied to "ensure that no hostile force embeds itself next to the border of Israel".[12] During the takeover, the IDF ordered locals of the border towns to remain inside until further notice. Israel also shelled and started various airstrikes on Damascus and, according to Omar Alhariri, other parts of Southern Syria.[13][14][15]

See also

Notes

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/suspected-israeli-strikes-hit-part-damascus-two-security-sources-say-2024-12-08/
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ https://x.com/omar_alharir/status/1865776181632528813
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