Israel Strikes Military Targets in Syria: Tensions Rise with New Regime

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) carried out a series of airstrikes on Monday night, targeting key military sites and Syrian regime headquarters in southern Syria. The strikes, which occurred in the Daraa province, aimed at military infrastructure and equipment crucial for aerial intelligence, such as night radars and detection systems.

According to the Israeli military, these systems posed a significant threat to the State of Israel and its operations, making their elimination a priority. The attack was designed to neutralize potential future threats by striking targets that could have contributed to enemy forces' ability to gather intelligence and track Israeli military movements.

The Syrian regime confirmed that the IAF's strikes focused on locations once controlled by the Assad regime, including military sites in the villages of Jabab and Izra. These sites were reportedly part of the 12th Brigade and 89th Battalion of Bashar al-Assad's army. Syrian sources noted that the IAF launched 28 airstrikes against the targets, signaling the scale of the Israeli operation.

Israel’s actions also coincide with broader regional tensions, particularly concerning the new Syrian administration, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa. Israeli officials have made it clear that any attempt by the Sunni jihadist organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) to establish a foothold or expand operations in southern Syria will be met with a strong military response.

Message to Syrian Regime: No Tolerance for Armed Groups

Through intermediaries, Israeli security officials sent a clear and strong message to Syria’s new leadership, emphasizing Israel’s resolve to prevent the establishment of armed organizations in the region. The Israeli military warned that it would take all necessary actions to ensure the demilitarization of southern Syria, especially from groups such as HTS, which could pose a direct threat to Israel’s security.

HTS, which emerged in 2017 from the merger of several Sunni jihadist factions, including former Al-Qaeda affiliates, played a key role in the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. The group has been a significant player in the Syrian civil war, and its involvement in southern Syria raises alarms for Israel, which is particularly concerned about the potential threat posed by such radicalized groups.

Ongoing Regional Instability

The strikes also come at a time of heightened instability in Syria, with reports of atrocities being committed by the new Syrian regime against various minority communities, including the Alawite and Druze populations. Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yisrael Katz, have condemned the regime’s actions and reiterated their commitment to defending Israel from any regional threats.

The situation in Syria remains volatile, with shifting alliances and ongoing conflicts. The Israeli military has repeatedly emphasized its determination to safeguard the country’s security and ensure that any armed groups with the potential to destabilize the region are swiftly neutralized.