Syria has accused Israel of trying to destabilize the country after a series of attacks on its military bases and a deadly ground incursion. This escalation in Israeli military action has raised concerns about the situation in the region.
On Wednesday night, Israeli shelling in Syria’s southern province of Deraa resulted in the deaths of nine people, according to Syria’s state news agency, SANA. The Syrian Foreign Ministry described the attacks as an "unjustified escalation" aimed at worsening the suffering of the Syrian people. They claimed the ground operation by Israeli soldiers was the most significant since the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad.
An Israeli army spokesperson stated that the military was responding to gunfire during the operation in Tasil, near the city of Nawa. They claimed to have seized weapons and dismantled terrorist infrastructure. Residents reported that armed locals were killed when they confronted the Israeli forces, who were targeting a former Syrian army encampment.
The United Nations envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, condemned Israel’s increasing military actions, saying they undermine efforts for peace in Syria. He urged Israel to stop its attacks, which he suggested could violate international law.
In a separate series of airstrikes, Israeli aircraft targeted military positions near Damascus late Thursday. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that these strikes hit areas around al-Kiswah and al-Muqaylibah, though there were no immediate reports of casualties. Earlier in the week, Israel conducted some of its most intense air attacks in years, striking five locations in Syria within just half an hour. The Syrian Foreign Ministry reported significant damage to the Hama airbase and numerous injuries among civilians and soldiers.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasized that these actions send a clear warning that Israel will not tolerate threats to its security. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused Turkey of attempting to exert control over Syria, calling it a negative influence in the region.
Turkey’s Foreign Ministry responded by labeling Israel as a "strategic destabilizer," claiming it is causing chaos and threatening regional security. They called for Israel to abandon its expansionist policies and stop undermining stability efforts in Syria.
Jordan condemned Israel’s attacks as a violation of the 1974 disengagement agreement between the two nations and a breach of international law. Saudi Arabia and Qatar also expressed their disapproval of Israel’s military actions.
Israel has been actively targeting Syrian military sites since the outbreak of the civil war, aiming to prevent any military threats near its borders. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously insisted on a complete demilitarization of southern Syria to ensure Israel’s security.