Israel Prepares for Unrest as it Deepens Involvement in Post-Assad Syria
Israeli forces are stepping up their presence in southern Syria, striking nearly 500 targets in recent weeks, as Syrian rebels celebrate the fall of President Bashar al-Assad, according to sources familiar with the situation.
This operation comes amid concerns among Israeli military commanders that the power vacuum left by Assad’s departure could lead to further instability and chaos in the region.
"We don’t know how the rebel groups in southern Syria will act now that Assad is gone," said a senior Israeli military official, speaking anonymously due to the sensitive nature of the information.
In a move reflecting these concerns, Israeli troops have reportedly entered the Golan Heights, engaging in ground combat with heavily armed rebels. A forteformerly occupied by the Syrian Army has been seized by Israeli forces, who discovered several tanks and a substantial weapons cache inside. The captured weaponry is believed to have belonged to Syrian forces.
International media outlets are reporting widespread celebrations in Syria following the downfall of Assad, a development quietly welcomed by Israeli leadership. While the fall of Assad’s regime eliminates a direct threat to Israel’s northern borders, concerns
have been raised about the fragmented nature of the rebel factions who took control.
Several Israeli defense officials have clearly voiced concerns over the potential impact of a destabilized Syria on Israel’s security.varia
Military experts speculate that Israel’s increased military activity is designed not only to contain potential spillover but also to prevent advanced Iranian-supplied weapons from reaching Hezbollah, the militant Iran-backed group, and thwart potential attacks on Israeli territory from Syrian soil.
The escalation of Israeli military presence comes amidst a shifting landscape in Syria, with multiple factions vying for control. An Israeli military official emphasized that Israel wouldn’t tolerate attacks against its territory.
Images show Israeli tanks and armored vehicles advancing through the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria in 1967. These developments are generating geopolitical anxieties as the fate of Syria hangs in the balance.
Chaos in the wake of Assad’s Fall?
A senior Israeli military commander outlined concerns to
entertain possibilities.
Explaining that the lack of a central authority in Syria further complicates matters, raising fears of jihadist extremist groups.
“We need to be prepared for any scenario,” each commander, underlining the uncertainty surrounding the situation. “The potential for further instability and even direct threats to our security is real and demands our vigilance.”
The Israeli airstrikes, targeting suspected arms depots, training camps, and military installations,
have been condemned by Syrian officials,
who accused intravenously attacked
"Israeli organizations are reflecting a sophisticated awareness of the potential threats, including
rebels attempting to establish a strong
State President."
Israel’s expanding military footing in
Southern Syria offers a glimpse into a potential roadmap for the complicated relationship
between this border is guarded closely by
the two nations.
