Israel expands incursion into southern Syria, occupies 3 villages

The Israeli military has taken control of three villages in southern Syria, marking an escalation in its activities following the recent overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

According to Anadolu Agency reporters, the villages occupied include Jamlah in Daraa province and Mazraat Beit Jinn and Maghar al-Mir in the Damascus countryside.

This development comes amidst a power vacuum in Syria after Assad fled to Russia on Dec. 8. His departure followed the swift capture of key Syrian cities by anti-regime forces, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

Power vacuum, escalating Israeli actions in Syria

With Assad’s regime ousted, Israel has intensified airstrikes across Syria, targeting military installations. These strikes, along with the occupation of additional territories, have raised concerns about violations of Syrian sovereignty.

In a significant move, Israel declared the collapse of a 1974 disengagement agreement with Syria, allowing it to deploy forces within the demilitarized zone of the Golan Heights, a region Israel has controlled since 1967.

More than 480 strikes carried out by the Israeli Air Force since the Assad regime’s fall in Syria. According to the Israeli army, about 350 manned aircraft strikes targeting airfields, anti-aircraft batteries, missiles, drones, fighter jets, tanks and weapon production sites in Damascus, Homs, Tartus, Latakia and Palmyra and other regions.

The Israeli army took control of the mountain summit of Mount Hermon on the Syrian side of the border and several other locations.

The army also mounted dozens of airstrikes against military bases, air defense stations, and intelligence headquarters, as well as long- and short-range missile depots and unconventional weapon stockpiles across Syria.

Israel claims that its military actions inside Syrian territory are defensive “to prevent any threat.”

Global, regional reactions

The United Nations and several Arab nations have condemned Israel’s actions. The U.N. Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) highlighted the strategic importance of the buffer zone, which spans over 75 kilometers (46.6 miles) and varies in width between 10 kilometers in the center and 200 meters in the south.

Critics warn that these actions may exacerbate tensions in an already volatile region. The situation in Syria remains fluid as various actors vie for control in the aftermath of Assad’s fall.

The Golan Heights is of strategic importance to Israel due to its geographic location in addition to the Tiberias Lake, which is considered a main water source to Israel, according to the Israeli Foreign Ministry.