Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in Syria, Israel has been encroaching on its neighbor’s territory.
Since al-Assad’s dramatic flight to Russia last Sunday, Israel has struck Syria more than 400 times and, despite protests from the United Nations, has launched a military incursion into the buffer zone that has separated the two countries since 1974.
The attacks come as the country attempts to break away from 53 years of dynastic family rule.
Over the past few months, Israel has attacked neighboring Lebanon and continued a war condemned as genocide against residents of the besieged Gaza Strip.
So why is Israel attacking Syria now? Here’s everything you need to know.
Why is Israel attacking Syria?
Israel has justified its attacks on Syria for years by claiming it is eliminating Iranian military targets. But Iran said this. Those troops are currently not in Syria..
Israel now says it is focused on destroying Syria’s military infrastructure.
Israel claims it is trying to prevent weapons from falling into the hands of “extremists.” This definition was most recently applied to a rotating list of actors by Syria’s main opposition group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Operation to overthrow Al Assad.
What did you hit?
Israel said it targeted military facilities, including weapons depots, ammunition depots, airports, naval bases and research centers.
Israel has also deployed troops in a buffer zone along the Golan Heights that separates Syria and Israel. The terrain was officially designated a demilitarized zone in 1974 as part of a UN-brokered ceasefire agreement.
Israel occupies about two-thirds of the Golan Heights, and the UN-managed buffer zone covers a narrow area of 400 square kilometers (154 square miles). The rest is controlled by Syria.
Syrian security forces also reported that Israeli tanks were advancing from the Golan Heights to Qatana, close to the capital, 10 kilometers (6 miles) into Syrian territory.
Israeli military sources denied any such intrusion.
In addition to more than 100 attacks on the capital, Israel also struck al-Mayadeen in the east, Tartus and Masyaf in the northwest, Qusair, which crosses Lebanon, and Kalhalla military airport in the south.
What is Israel’s justification for this attack on a sovereign nation?
You are acting to defend yourself.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told reporters on Monday that the former Syrian territory along the Golan Heights, classified as a demilitarized zone since 1974, will remain part of Israel “forever.”
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar defended Israel’s attacks from Sunday, saying Israel’s intention was only to target suspected chemical weapons sites and long-range rocket bases to prevent occupation by armed groups opposing Israel’s ongoing offensive against its neighbor. He said it would prevent it.
In a briefing to foreign media, Sa’ar said Israel was acting “in a precautionary manner.”
He said, “So we attacked strategic weapons systems, such as remaining chemical weapons, long-range missiles, and rockets, to prevent them from falling into the hands of extremists.”
What does Israel want from Syria?
It’s not clear yet.
The government has made no statement other than “acting in defense of Israel” that could indicate its intentions.
But some prominent Israeli figures have expressed their views on what should happen next.
Benny Gantz, leader of the National Unity Party and an opponent of Netanyahu. said Reporters on Monday said this was a “historic opportunity” for Israel. He urged policymakers to “develop relations with Syria’s Druze, Kurds and other groups,” adding that Israel could develop ties with groups that have traditionally opposed the rebel coalition that ousted al-Assad. It was implied that there was.
On the same day, Times of Israel I interviewed a researcher and former Israeli soldier who took Gantz’s suggestion further, suggesting that Syria be divided into a series of states, with each state free to cooperate with external actors, including Israel.
“The Middle East’s modern nation-states have failed.” said former colonel Anan Wahabi, who identified himself as a member of the Druze minority.
