Israel Launches Continued Airstrikes in Syria Amid Political Shifts

Israel's aerial campaign in Syria intensified on Monday, with airstrikes targeting critical military infrastructure following the dramatic fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime. As the Syrian government crumbled on Sunday, Israel focused on weaponry that could potentially fall into the hands of hostile forces. The strikes marked a significant escalation in Israel's efforts to cripple the Assad regime’s military capabilities.

Israeli planes bombed at least three key Syrian army air bases, including Qamishli in the northeast, Shinshar near Homs, and Aqrba southwest of Damascus. These bases housed helicopters and jets that Israel feared could be used by adversaries in the region.

In addition to the strikes on Monday, Israeli jets hit missile storage sites, air defense systems, weapon production facilities, and chemical weapons sites across Syria. This continued bombardment follows the fall of the Assad regime after a rapid offensive by rebel forces, marking the collapse of a key ally to Iran in the so-called Axis of Resistance against Israel.

Western intelligence sources suggest Israel may have carried out around 300 airstrikes since Sunday, with reports indicating that Syria's Air Force could be completely incapacitated within days. The goal is to ensure that rebel groups or any future government in Syria cannot pose an air threat to Israel.

On Monday alone, Israel conducted over 100 airstrikes, including on the Barzah scientific research center in Damascus, which is suspected of having links to chemical weapons production. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported significant damage to Assad's military infrastructure, including a research center used for chemical weapon development.

While Syrian media claimed additional airstrikes targeting the Qabr Essit Airport and the Latakia port, Israel’s actions in Syria have not been officially commented on by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). However, reports from the region confirmed explosions at strategic sites linked to the Assad regime’s military assets.

Israel's military actions have extended beyond airstrikes. The IDF has deployed forces into a buffer zone between Israel and Syria in the Golan Heights. This marks a rare instance of Israeli forces entering the buffer zone, a demilitarized area established by the 1974 Separation of Forces Agreement following the Yom Kippur War.

In the wake of the strikes, Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, emphasized that Israel’s actions were aimed at protecting its security, not intervening in the ongoing Syrian civil conflict. He reassured the UN Security Council that Israel remains committed to the 1974 Agreement despite the rapidly changing situation in Syria.

Meanwhile, the United States also capitalized on the collapse of the Assad regime, carrying out strikes on Islamic State targets in central Syria. American airstrikes targeted over 75 Islamic State positions, signaling increased international involvement in the region as the power vacuum in Syria deepens.

The fall of the Assad regime marks a significant shift in Syria’s civil war, which began in 2011 as a rebellion against the Assad family’s 50-year rule. The conflict has drawn in major global powers, creating opportunities for extremist groups to proliferate while sending millions of refugees fleeing to neighboring countries. The future of Syria remains uncertain as various rebel factions, including the al-Qaeda-linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, continue to exert control over key territories.