Following the fall of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad, Israel has been increasing its attacks on its neighbour, launching more than 400 attacks since al-Assad’s departure. Despite UN protests, Israel has also initiated a military incursion into the buffer zone between the two countries, which has been in place since 1974. Israel claims it is targeting Syrian military infrastructure and trying to prevent weapons from falling into the hands of “extremists”, such as the Syrian opposition group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.
Israeli forces have targeted military facilities, weapon warehouses, airports, and research centers in their attacks on Syria. Israel has also deployed military units to the buffer zone along the Golan Heights, a region that has been designated as a demilitarized zone by the UN since 1974. Israeli tanks have been reported advancing into Syrian territory, although Israeli military sources deny any incursion. The Israeli government justifies its actions as acting in self-defense, aiming to protect its interests and prevent the acquisition of chemical weapons by armed groups opposed to Israel.
While Israel’s specific intentions regarding Syria remain unclear, some Israeli figures have suggested possibilities for the future, such as developing relations with groups in Syria traditionally opposed to al-Assad’s regime. Others have proposed the idea of breaking up Syria into cantons to allow for cooperation with external actors, including Israel. These actions and proposals come at a time of transition for Syria, as it moves away from decades of dynastic rule under the al-Assad family.
Source
Photo credit www.aljazeera.com