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Reacting to Israel’s military operations in southern Syria earlier this week, the Islamist ruler of Damascus delivered a fierce denunciation on Saturday, accusing Tel Aviv of exploiting Syria’s vulnerabilities for regional dominance. Yet, in a moment of candor, he acknowledged that years of relentless conflict and societal collapse had left Syria incapable of responding with strength.
Over the weekend, Israeli military forces crossed into the United Nations-monitored buffer zone between Israeli and Syrian territories on the Golan Heights. This action, which the UN promptly condemned, is seen as a breach of the 1974 armistice agreement designed to maintain peace between the two nations.
The move has raised tensions in an already volatile region, with the international community watching closely as the situation unfolds.
“The Israelis have clearly crossed the disengagement line in Syria, which threatens a new unjustified escalation in the region,” said the leader of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, who is now using his real name Ahmed al-Sharaa.
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However, in a statement posted on the rebels’ Telegram channel, he acknowledged the toll of years of ongoing conflict, noting that “the general exhaustion in Syria after years of war and conflict does not allow us to enter new conflicts.”
This admission points to the significant strain the country has faced, with resources stretched thin and the capacity for further engagements limited.
Having controlled most of the Golan Heights since 1974, Israel framed its recent military actions as a defensive response to the political chaos unfolding in Syria’s northeast.
The statement reflects Israel’s longstanding security concerns, emphasizing the strategic importance of the region and the need for vigilance amidst the continuing uncertainty in its neighboring state.
After HTS-led forces overthrew President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday, Israel responded with a barrage of air strikes, reportedly targeting Syrian military installations. A war monitor confirmed the attacks, highlighting Israel’s growing concern over the destabilization in Syria and the shifting regional power dynamics it is causing.
Israel Katz, the country’s Defence Minister, has been leading efforts to neutralize “strategic capabilities” that he asserts jeopardize Israel’s security. These actions are central to a broader military strategy designed to preempt potential threats and maintain Israel’s defensive edge in a volatile geopolitical environment.
