ISRAEL’S MILITARY STRIKES IN SYRIA
Overview:
- Israel’s military involvement in Syria, especially its airstrikes and naval operations, has become a key component of its broader security policy.
- This approach has been particularly focused on eliminating strategic threats that arise from the ongoing Syrian Civil War (since 2011).
- Israel’s primary concerns include preventing the spread of advanced weaponry, especially long-range missiles and drones, as well as curbing the influence of extremist groups like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Iranian-backed militias, and Hezbollah.
- These actions aim to safeguard Israel’s borders, particularly the Golan Heights, a region of critical strategic importance.
THE GOLAN HEIGHTS
- Geopolitical Significance: The Golan Heights, a plateau that Israel captured from Syria during the 1967 Six-Day War, has been a point of ongoing tension between Israel and Syria.
- Israel annexed the region in 1981, a move not recognized by the international community.
- The area provides a commanding view over northern Israel and southern Syria, making it a vital location for Israel’s defense strategy.
- Security Threats: With the Syrian Civil War dragging on, Israel has increasingly focused on the Golan Heights to prevent the establishment of any militant presence near its borders.
- The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, which has ties to Al-Qaeda, is one of the key concerns for Israel.
- HTS, led by Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, has made threats against Israel, including calls for targeting Jerusalem, which has pushed Israel to monitor the group’s activities closely.
ISRAEL’S MILITARY RESPONSE
To neutralize these threats, Israel has launched several military operations targeting Syrian infrastructure, particularly military assets that could fall into the hands of hostile groups:
- Airstrikes:
- Israel has conducted numerous airstrikes against strategic military sites in Syria.
- These include weapons depots, airfields, anti-aircraft systems, and missile stockpiles in cities like Damascus, Homs, Latakia, Tartus, and Palmyra.
- Israel’s primary goal is to degrade Syria’s military capabilities and prevent advanced weapons, like Scud missiles and cruise missiles, from reaching extremist groups like HTS or Iranian-backed militias.
- Naval Operations:
- In addition to airstrikes, Israel’s navy has conducted operations to target Syrian naval assets, such as ships and missiles in key ports like Latakia and Al-Bayda.
- A major strike destroyed 15 Syrian warships, including sea-to-sea missiles that posed a direct threat to maritime security in the Mediterranean.
- Some of these missiles had ranges of up to 190 kilometers, which could endanger both military and civilian vessels.
- Preventing the Spread of Advanced Weaponry:
- Israel has been particularly concerned about the potential transfer of advanced weapons to Hezbollah (a militant group based in Lebanon) and Iranian-backed militias operating in Syria.
- This includes the transfer of long-range missiles, drones, and other sophisticated weaponry that could be used against Israeli targets.
- Israeli strikes aim to disrupt supply lines and prevent the delivery of advanced weaponry to groups hostile to Israel, especially Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and Iran’s Quds Force.
KEY OBJECTIVES
- Preventing Weapon Proliferation: Israel has repeatedly stated that its primary objective is to prevent the transfer of advanced weapons, particularly missiles and drones, to hostile groups near its borders.
- This strategy also aims to stop Iran from establishing a military foothold in Syria and using it as a staging ground for proxy forces that could pose a direct threat to Israel.
- Curbing Iranian Influence: Israel’s operations in Syria also target Iranian military infrastructure and Iranian-backed militias, which have established a strong presence in Syria.
- Iran’s increasing involvement in Syria has become a major security concern for Israel, especially as it looks to expand its influence over the region.
- Defending the Golan Heights: Given the proximity of Syria’s conflict to Israel’s borders in the Golan Heights, Israeli military strikes are also aimed at preventing any group, including HTS or Iranian-backed forces, from gaining control over the region or establishing a foothold near Israeli territory.
REACTIONS TO ISRAEL’S AIRSTRIKES
- Syrian Government Response: The Syrian regime has consistently condemned Israel’s airstrikes as violations of sovereignty.
- However, the weakened state of the Syrian government, due to the ongoing civil war, has made it difficult for Syria to retaliate effectively.
- The Syrian military has been unable to stop Israeli airstrikes or mount significant counterattacks.
- Russian Reaction: Russia, which has a significant military presence in Syria and is a key ally of the Syrian government, has occasionally voiced concerns over Israeli airstrikes.
- However, Russia has largely maintained a neutral stance regarding Israeli operations.
- While Russia is interested in maintaining a foothold in Syria, its geopolitical interests have not led it to directly intervene in Israel’s military activities.
- Iran and Hezbollah’s Condemnation: Iran, which supports the Syrian regime, and Hezbollah, which operates in southern Lebanon, have strongly condemned Israeli actions.
- Both actors view Israel’s military strikes as a direct challenge to their strategic interests in Syria.
- Iran’s goal of establishing a land corridor between Tehran and Beirut (through Iraq and Syria) has been disrupted by Israel’s strikes targeting its infrastructure and weapons shipments.
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