Netanyahu discusses collapse of Assad regime in Syria with intelligence
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (photo: Getty Images)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hastily held consultations with key intelligence figures and discussed with them the possible collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria amid the opposition forces' offensive on Aleppo, reports The Times of Israel.
Citing a Channel 12 television report, the newspaper writes that the rebel offensive in Syria promises short-term benefits and potential problems for Israel.
According to the channel, Netanyahu held a meeting at the Defense Ministry the day before. According to unnamed intelligence officials, Israel is monitoring the situation with great caution. According to their estimates, Iranian infrastructure in Syria has been damaged and most of it has been captured.
Netanyahu was informed that Lebanese Hezbollah's attention would most likely now be turned to Syria and attempts to defend the regime of dictator Bashar al-Assad.
As for the Syrian territory itself, where the Defense Forces are working to reduce Hezbollah's potential and eliminate direct threats from pro-Iranian forces, Israel's freedom of military operations is likely to expand.
“Intelligence leaders said that the latest developments appear to be positive. But, they are said to have warned, “the collapse of the Assad regime would likely create chaos in which military threats against Israel would develop,” The Times of Israel writes.
Sudden attack on Aleppo
This week, rebels led by Islamists from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched a large-scale offensive on Aleppo. This large city has been controlled by Assad's government forces since 2016.
As of today, the opposition has occupied most of Aleppo, and the Syrian army has announced its withdrawal from the city to prepare a counteroffensive.
According to unconfirmed reports, Bashar al-Assad allegedly immediately arrived in Moscow. According to Reuters, the Russian side has promised to provide military assistance within 72 hours.
Videos of the rebels' breakthrough into the city of Hama, shootings in the capital Damascus, and rumors of a coup in Syria are being circulated on social media. As of now, there is no confirmation.
To read more about how the active phase of the civil war has resumed, please see our article Rebels storming Aleppo. What’s unfolding in Syria and where is Assad.
