In a dramatic escalation of the Syrian conflict, Israel has confirmed carrying out extensive military strikes against Syria’s naval fleet and numerous other military targets. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced a large-scale operation, involving over 350 air strikes and ground troop deployment into the demilitarized zone between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. The attacks, launched on Monday night, targeted key Syrian ports at Al-Bayda and Latakia, resulting in the reported destruction of 15 naval vessels.
The IDF’s statement emphasized the operation’s aim to dismantle strategic military capabilities that pose a threat to Israel’s national security. Defense Minister Israel Katz hailed the operation as a ‘great success,’ highlighting the destruction of airfields, military vehicles, anti-aircraft weaponry, arms production sites, weapon warehouses, ammunition depots, and numerous sea-to-sea missiles across various Syrian cities including Damascus, Homs, Tartus, and Palmyra. The IDF explicitly stated that the strikes were intended to prevent these assets from falling into the hands of extremist groups.
This assertive military action follows the dramatic collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime. On Sunday, December 8th, forces loyal to the Islamist opposition group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) seized control of Damascus after Assad, who had been in power since 1971, fled the country, reportedly to Russia. The swift takeover marked a significant turning point in the protracted Syrian civil war.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video statement warning HTS that Israel would respond forcefully to any attempts by Iran to re-establish itself in Syria. While previously expressing a desire for peaceful relations with the new Syrian government, Netanyahu has framed Israel’s military interventions as purely defensive measures to protect its national security interests. He clarified that the IDF’s seizure of Syrian positions within the buffer zone is temporary, pending a suitable security arrangement. Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s commitment to defending its borders, asserting that they will take any necessary action to ensure its security, even while hoping to establish peaceful ties with the new power structure in Syria.
The Israeli occupation of the Golan Heights, unilaterally annexed in 1981 (a move not internationally recognized except by the US in 2019), adds a layer of complexity to the situation. Israel’s significant military response underscores the region’s volatile dynamics and raises concerns about the future stability of Syria and the broader Middle East. The scale and scope of the Israeli operation mark a significant escalation in the regional conflict, with far-reaching consequences yet to be fully understood.
