Israeli army attacks military targets in southern Syria
Photo: Israeli forces destroyed weapon depots in Syria (Getty Images)
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out strikes on military targets in southern Syria, including weapon depots that posed a threat, according to IDF and The Times of Israel.
Over the past few hours, the IDF struck military targets in southern Syria including command centers and multiple sites containing weapons.
"The presence of military forces and assets in the southern part of Syria poses a threat to the citizens of Israel. The IDF will continue to operate to remove any threat to the citizens of the State of Israel," as stated in the report.
Defense Minister Israel Katz confirms that Israel is carrying out airstrikes in southern Syria after blasts were reported in several areas south of Damascus, and warns Israel will not allow southern Syria to become southern Lebanon.
The strikes come after several Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, demanded in recent days the demilitarization of southern Syria, and warned that Israel would prevent the Syrian army from moving south of Damascus.
“We will not endanger the security of our citizens,” Katz says. “Any attempt by Syrian regime forces and the country’s terrorist organizations to establish themselves in the security zone in southern Syria — will be met with fire.”
Israeli strikes on Syria
In early December of last year, fighters from the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group captured key cities in Syria, including the capital, Damascus, and overthrew Bashar al-Assad's regime. The dictator and his family evacuated to Russia.
The Israeli army immediately launched intensive strikes on weapons depots throughout Syria. The goal was to prevent strategic supplies from falling into the hands of hostile Islamic groups.
Additionally, the Israeli army destroyed the Syrian military fleet to eliminate threats to its country.
Last week, the IDF attacked the Russian airbase Khmeimim in Syria. The reason for the strike was a shipment of weapons for the Hezbollah terrorist group that was unloaded at the airfield.
