Israeli army says 80% of Assad regime’s military capabilities destroyed

The Israeli military announced Tuesday it has destroyed up to 80% of the military capabilities of Bashar al-Assad’s ousted regime, signaling a significant escalation in its operations following the Syrian leader’s departure from power.

The Israeli Army Radio reported that 350 warplanes conducted strikes spanning from Damascus to Tartus, targeting Syrian aircraft, helicopters, air defense systems, and ammunition depots. “Army operations have been completed, with 70-80% of Assad’s regime’s military capabilities destroyed,” the military said in a statement.

The large-scale offensive, dubbed “Bashan Arrow,” represents a new phase in Israel’s strategy toward its northern neighbor. The name draws from the biblical term “Bashan,” which historically refers to territories south of Syria and east of Jordan. The Israeli military frequently names its operations after terms derived from the Torah.

Ground operations in southern Syria

While airstrikes have concluded, Israeli ground forces remain active in southern Syria, with operations continuing in the demilitarized buffer zone that had been overseen by the United Nations.

“The operation is still ongoing on the ground, as part of our ground forces’ actions in the buffer zone,” the army stated. It emphasized efforts to establish control over the area, destroy weapons, and prevent them from falling “into undesirable hands.”

Territorial advances

Following the downfall of Assad, Israel expanded its occupation of the Syrian Golan Heights by seizing a UN-supervised demilitarized zone. The move came just hours after anti-regime forces took control of Damascus, prompting Assad to flee to Russia, where he has reportedly been granted asylum.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared the collapse of a UN-monitored disengagement agreement that had established the buffer zone. Israeli forces have since seized several strategic locations, including the summit of Mount Hermon on the Syrian side of the border.

The developments mark a turning point in the region’s power dynamics as Israel solidifies its foothold in areas previously under Syrian control. The collapse of Assad’s Baath Party regime, which had ruled Syria since 1963, has left a power vacuum, raising questions about the future stability of the region.

Israeli officials have not commented on the broader implications of their expanded presence in Syria or whether these actions signal a long-term strategic shift. The ongoing ground operations suggest that Israel’s military objectives are far from complete.