Israeli tanks crossed border with Syria - The Times of Israel
Photo: Israeli tanks could enter the territory of Syria (Getty Images)
Tanks of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reportedly crossed the buffer zone and entered Syria today, December 8. This occurred following the collapse of the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad after rebels seized Damascus, reports The Times of Israel.
Israeli media reported that, according to Syrian reports overnight, Israeli tanks crossed the border into Syria from the Golan Heights.
Unverified information suggests that Israeli forces allegedly entered the buffer zone near Quneitra (a city in southwestern Syria) and opened fire.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have not commented on this information at present.
Earlier, on the night of December 8, The Times of Israel reported that IDF forces from the 210th regional division, Bashan, were conducting engineering work on the barriers along the Israel-Syria border in the Golan Heights.
According to media sources, the IDF intends to impose stricter restrictions on several towns near the Syrian border following the apparent fall of Assad’s regime due to a rebel campaign, with some of these groups believed to be Islamist.
Army Radio reported that these restrictions mean that schools would be canceled in four Druze villages close to the border.
Israeli media noted that lands adjacent to the Syrian border would be declared a closed military zone, meaning civilians would be denied access.
Additionally, it was reported that checkpoints are being established around the Golan Heights, and vehicle movement in the area would be restricted as necessary.
Earlier, on the evening of December 7, the IDF announced that Israeli forces were preparing to respond to potential threats from Syrian rebels. The Israel Defense Forces were reportedly developing contingency plans to address events that could undermine the country's sovereignty.
By early morning on December 8, it became known that Syrian rebels had entered the capital, Damascus. Western media outlets reported that President Bashar Assad had fled Damascus by plane in an unknown direction. The military leadership of Assad’s government forces issued an order for soldiers to surrender their weapons.
Furthermore, Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed al-Jalali announced the readiness to hand over power to the opposition.
