The Israeli military has acknowledged losing an encrypted communication device during a ground operation in southern Syria, days after videos circulating on social media appeared to show local residents recovering the equipment.
According to Israeli media reports on Tuesday, the device went missing during a raid carried out by Israeli forces in the village of Abdeen, located in Syria’s southern Daraa province.
Israeli Army Radio identified the equipment as a classified Ultra-Line Recorder (ULR), describing it as an encrypted military communication device. Officials said it is not the type of communication system used by senior commanders to direct combat operations but confirmed that it contains security protections, including password encryption.
Israeli media reported that the device is believed to be in the possession of Syrian civilians. Attempts by Israeli forces to return to the area and recover the equipment were reportedly unsuccessful after local protests prevented troops from re-entering the village.
The incident occurred during Sunday’s military operation in Abdeen, where Israeli troops conducted a raid before shelling areas on the village’s outskirts. Local residents reportedly confronted the forces by throwing stones, prompting the troops to withdraw amid growing public anger.
Israel’s public broadcaster KAN said the communication device was lost during clashes that erupted between Israeli soldiers and residents during the operation.
Syrian authorities had not officially commented on the incident at the time of publication.
The latest episode comes amid continued Israeli military activity in southern Syria. Since the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s government in late 2024, Israeli forces have carried out repeated raids, search operations, arrests, and established military positions in parts of southern Syria, contributing to heightened regional tensions.
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