Şevval Tufan
Israel has initiated a major military campaign in Syria, executing airstrikes and moving ground troops into Syrian territory following the removal of President Bashar al-Assad. These actions have sparked widespread criticism and heightened concerns about increased instability in the area.
Explosions erupted in Damascus overnight, and airstrikes targeted Syrian naval vessels in the coastal city of Latakia. Defense Minister Israel Katz declared the establishment of a “sterile defense zone” in southern Syria, with Israeli forces gaining control of a demilitarized buffer zone set up in 1974 as part of a U.N.-mediated ceasefire. Katz mentioned that these actions are intended to prevent chemical weapons and rockets from reaching extremist groups, while stressing that there would not be a lasting Israeli military presence in the region.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported over 300 Israeli airstrikes aimed at research facilities, arms storage sites, and military infrastructure throughout the country. Among the locations affected was the Barzeh Scientific Studies and Research Center near Damascus, which has ties to chemical weapon production. In Latakia, images captured smoke rising from the Syrian naval ships that were destroyed by Israeli airstrikes.
Arab countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Iran, have denounced Israel’s actions, accusing it of taking advantage of Syria’s instability and breaching international law. Turkiye also criticized the military incursion, labeling it a destabilizing action during Syria’s transition to a post-Assad regime. The U.N. special envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, referred to the Israeli strikes as a “very troubling development” and called for an immediate cessation of military actions in Syrian territory.
The Israeli military defended its operations as essential for national security, citing concerns that strategic weaponry could end up in the hands of extremists. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar indicated that Israel is acting to safeguard its citizens by targeting chemical arms and long-range missile systems. At the same time, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Islamist-led rebel group responsible for ousting Assad, vowed not to use chemical weapons or permit them to fall into reckless hands.
Experts have cautioned that Israel’s actions pose significant risks of further destabilizing the region and could undermine any chances for improved relations with Syria’s new government. Although Israel presents its incursions as defensive, critics contend that such actions endanger diplomatic avenues and threaten prolonged tensions in an already unstable region.
