Israel has intensified its military operations in Syria, launching a series of heavy airstrikes and pushing deeper into the country, according to a Syrian opposition war monitor. On Tuesday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the destruction of Syria’s navy as part of ongoing efforts to neutralize threats in the region.
Israeli forces acknowledged entering a buffer zone inside Syria, established decades ago after the fall of President Bashar Assad, though it is unclear whether they have advanced beyond it. Israel denied reports of troops moving toward Damascus but confirmed conducting over 350 airstrikes within 48 hours. These strikes targeted strategic assets, including air defense systems, military airfields, missile depots, and weapons factories in Damascus and other cities. Residents of the Syrian capital reported hearing continuous bombing throughout the night.
Mary Ellen O’Connell, a legal and international peace expert at the University of Notre Dame, warned that Israel’s actions could worsen instability in Syria. “By pushing tanks across the buffer zone for the first time since 1973, Israel risks exploiting the current chaos to seize more territory. Such moves could provoke future conflicts as emerging factions contest this territorial gain,” O’Connell stated.
Simultaneously, Israeli naval forces targeted two Syrian navy facilities, reportedly damaging at least six Soviet-era missile ships, according to private security firm Ambrey. Katz emphasized Israel’s goal of creating a demilitarized zone in southern Syria to prevent terrorist threats, stressing that the zone would be free of Israeli military presence.
Meanwhile, the transitional government in Syria has begun to take shape following the overthrow of Assad. Mohammed al-Bashir, a former rebel leader, has been appointed to lead a provisional cabinet tasked with overseeing the transition until March. This marks a significant shift in power dynamics as Syria enters an uncertain new phase.
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