Israeli military conducts ground operation in Syria, captures alleged IRGC operative

The Israeli military stated on Sunday that it carried out a rare ground operation in Syria, seizing a Syrian citizen allegedly involved in Iranian intelligence networks. This marks the first public acknowledgment of Israeli ground forces operating within Syrian territory during the current conflict.

Details of Israeli operation in Syria

The Israeli army reported that the special operation occurred “in recent months” but did not specify an exact date. The military identified the detained individual as Ali Suleiman al-Assi, a resident of southern Syria’s Saida region, claiming he was involved in intelligence-gathering for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The Israeli army stated that al-Assi was transferred to Israel for interrogation.

During an operational activity initiated in the territory of Syria in recent months, the fighters of the Egoz unit with the field investigators of the 504 unit, under the command of the 210 division and with intelligence guidance, arrested an Iranian terrorist infrastructure operative on the Syrian front.

Ali Suleiman al-Assi, a Syrian citizen living in the Tsida region in southern Syria, was employed by Iran and engaged in gathering intelligence on Israeli forces in the border area for future terrorist activity. al-Assi was under close surveillance by Israeli forces, was arrested and is under investigation in Israel

The operation to arrest al-Assi by the Israeli forces prevented and disrupted a future attack and led to the exposure of the method of operation of Iranian entities on the front of the Golan Heights. Ali Suleiman al-Assi was transferred to Unit 504 and the security forces for further investigation.

Israeli army statement

No immediate response from Syria or Iran

Syria has not confirmed the Israeli military’s report, though pro-government broadcaster Sham FM mentioned a “kidnapping operation” over the summer involving Israeli forces. Iran has not issued any statement regarding the alleged involvement of its networks.

Video footage released

The Israeli army released body camera footage showing soldiers entering a building and detaining a man wearing a white tank top. The video provides rare insight into Israeli military operations beyond its borders.

Israel’s ongoing campaign in Syria

While Israel has conducted numerous airstrikes targeting Iranian-backed groups and Hezbollah in Syria since 2011, public acknowledgments of ground incursions have been uncommon.