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2024 Israeli invasion of Syria

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2024 Israeli invasion of Syria
Operation Bashan Arrow
Part of the Syrian civil war, Middle Eastern crisis, spillover of the Israel–Hamas war in Syria, Arab–Israeli conflict, and the fall of the Assad regime

  • (as of December 9)
  •   Controlled by Syria
  •   Occupied by Israel
Date8 December 2024 – present
(3 days)
Location
Syria
Status

Ongoing

Belligerents
 Israel
 Syria[1]
Commanders and leaders
Benjamin Netanyahu
Israel Katz
Ori Gordin		 Ba'athist Syria Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali (December 8–9)
Mohammed al-Bashir (December 9–present)
Units involved

 Israel Defense Forces

 Syrian Armed Forces[a]

Syrian opposition Syrian transitional government[7]

Strength
2 brigades (6,000 – 10,000 troops)[10] Unknown
Casualties and losses
None No human casualties
Material losses: Multiple military sites destroyed as well as ground, air and naval assets.[11]
6 Syrian civilians killed[12][13]
A number of Syrian civilians arrested[12][14]

On 8 December 2024, following the fall of the Assad regime, Israel's armored units entered the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) buffer zone in between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, targeting the central countryside of the Quneitra Governorate with artillery fire.[15][16] The operation marked the first time in over 50 years that Israeli forces had occupied the area, following ceasefire agreements on 31 May 1974 in the aftermath of the Yom Kippur War.[17]

After the fall of Damascus, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that since the Syrian Arab Army had abandoned its positions, the 1974 border agreement with Syria had collapsed, and that to prevent any possible threat, he ordered the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to temporarily take over the Purple Line, from which the IDF had withdrawn in 1974, until an agreement was reached with the new government in Syria.[18][19] The Israeli Air Force and Navy concurrently began extensive strikes on military targets across Syria in an operation named Operation Bashan Arrow (Hebrew: מבצע חץ הבשן, romanized: Mivtza Hetz HaBashan).[20][21]

Specific military objectives were given to the IDF by Defense Minister Israel Katz on 9 December, which included a complete takeover of the buffer zone and nearby positions, the creation of a security zone extending beyond the buffer zone free of heavy weaponry and military infrastructure, and the prevention of Iranian arms smuggling routes to Lebanon through Syria.[22]

Background

See also: Israel–Syria relations

Since the Six-Day War in 1967, Israel has occupied most of the Golan Heights region of Syria. After the Yom Kippur War in 1973, Israel and Syria agreed on a Disengagement which left a No man's land between them, which was occupied by the UNDOF. In 1981, Israel unilaterally annexed the Heights, a move that has been condemned by the United Nations as illegal under international law and is unrecognized by every country in the world except for the United States, which recognized the Heights as part of Israel in 2019.[23] Israeli officials lobbied for the United States to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the territory.[24] During its occupation, Israel has actively promoted Israeli settlement in the Heights.[25]

In November 2024, the United Nations accused Israel of violating the 1974 Disengagement Agreement in November with engineering work and battle tanks inside the demilitarized zone.[26] UNDOF stated it had "repeatedly engaged with the IDF to protest the construction."[26] Israel responded that it was “working to establish a barrier on Israeli territory exclusively in order to thwart a possible terrorist invasion and protect the security of Israel’s borders,” and noted that “Israeli and IDF officials maintain close contact with UN officials who are familiar with the threats in the region.”[26]

In December 2024, the Syrian opposition launched a major offensive against the Syrian regime led by Bashar al-Assad. Following the fall of the Assad regime, Israeli Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Amichai Chikli expressed apprehension at the opposition forces' political upheaval of the Syrian government, claiming that: "Most of Syria is now under the control of al-Qaeda and Daesh."[27] He implored Israel to re-fortify its defensive line at Mount Hermon in Israeli-occupied Golan Heights based on 1974 borders in order to prevent potential attacks by the new regime.[17]

Events

Ground offensive

Following the advance of the Syrian opposition in the south, Israel reinforced Division 210 and deployed additional troops to the Golan Heights to prevent any possible threats.[28] When Syrian opposition forces first occupied the southern town of Hader, it was reported that the IDF had advanced further into the Golan Heights to repel an attack on a United Nations post in the area.[29][30] Additionally, the IDF significantly reinforced its presence within the established buffer zone.[16][8]

On 8 December 2024, Israeli Army Radio reported that Israeli armored units, including main battle tanks, crossed the established border fence in the Golan Heights during early morning operations. Israeli Army Radio stated that the IDF and Northern Command initiated the operation in order to strengthen its "border" with Syria.[8][31]

The military advance extended into the Quneitra Governorate, with substantial forces entering the town of Khan Arnabah. Syrian media reported that Israeli forces had advanced into the city center of al-Baath.[31] Following the advance into the Quneitra Governorate and the Syrian-controlled side of Mount Hermon by the Israeli Special Forces Shaldag Unit (Unit 5101),[32] Netanyahu issued a statement saying that the 1974 ceasefire agreement had collapsed when Syrian soldiers abandoned their posts in the Golan Heights, and that the area was to be temporarily occupied to "ensure that no hostile force embeds itself next to the border of Israel."[33] During the takeover, IDF spokesman Avichay Adraee announced a curfew in five Syrian villages, including Quneitra, ordering locals of the border towns to remain inside "until further notice."[34][35] On 8 December 2024, Al Arabiya reported that Israel had taken control of Tell al-Hara.[36] On 10 December correspondents for Al Jazeera and Enab Baladi reported Israeli tanks in several Syrian villages such as Beer Ajam.[37][38] Although Israeli tanks were also reported as far as Qatana, 26 kilometres (16 mi) from Damascus[39] an IDF spokesman insisted that "IDF forces are not advancing towards Damascus. This is not something we are doing or pursuing in any way" while acknowledging that, beyond the buffer zone, "a few additional points" had been seized. The Israeli Defense Minister also stated that Israel aims to establish a "sterile defence zone" in southern Syria to “prevent the establishment and organisation of terror in Syria”.[40]

Conflicting reactions emerged from rebel circles regarding Israel's ground invasion into Syria. At one hand, a source close to HTS leadership[who?] expected that the invasion was temporary until the new government fills the vacuum that was left behind by the previous one.[citation needed] It also hinted on a renewal of the 1974 agreements. However, a source[who?] within the Southern Operations Room expressed more caution and expected the IDF to push further inland to take the strategic Tell al-Hara in northern Daraa and use it as "advanced observation point".[7][undue weight? – discuss]

Mount Hermon, viewed from Mount Bental in the Golan Heights

Airstrikes

On 8 December 2024, the Israeli Air Force conducted targeted operations against weapons storage facilities, which Israel considered strategic threats, across southern Syria to prevent them from falling into the hands of opposition forces.[15][16] Israeli officials claimed that the targets included small stockpiles of chemical weapons, mainly mustard gas and VX gas, radar-equipped batteries, vehicles of Russian-made air defense missiles, and stockpiles of Scud missiles.[35] The White Helmets reported that: "there was no evidence of unusual toxic fumes during the extinguishing of the fire, and no cases of suffocation were observed among civilians"[41] Israel also reportedly launched airstrikes on Syrian intelligence and customs headquarters, with explosions reported at their locations in Damascus.[34][42] Later, Israel also heavily shelled Mezzeh Air Base.[43]

In the early hours of 9 December 2024, Israel conducted several airstrikes across the Daraa and Suwayda Governorates in southern Syria. Six airstrikes were reported at an airbase north of Suwayda, while multiple others targeted ammo depots in Nawa and the Daraa countryside.[44] By evening, the Israeli air Force and Navy had struck naval assets in the Port of Latakia,[45][11] and an alleged chemical weapons production center in Barzeh,[46] and Qamishli Airport in northern Syria.[1] These roughly 200[39] airstrikes, including strikes on Damascus, Daraa, Latakia, and Hama,[47] destroyed dozens of fighter jets and helicopters in the first phase and the entire Syrian naval fleet in the second.[6] An Israeli senior official said airstrikes "would persist in the coming days".[48][49]

In the morning of 10 December, photographs revealed sunken Osa-class missile boats in the Port of Latakia after overnight Israeli strikes.[6] The IDF announced that its air force and navy conducted over 480 strikes in Syria in the span of 48 hours, 350 of which targeted airfields, anti-aircraft batteries, missiles, drones, fighter jets, tanks, and weapon production sites,[2] destroying between 70% and 80% of Syria's strategic weapons. It added that 15 naval vessels were destroyed in strikes on Minet el-Beida and Latakia.[3][2] A senior Israeli security source described it as the "largest air operation carried out by its air force in its history".[40] A former rebel commander claimed that they will "need decades to rebuild a national Syrian army”.[7]

Israeli plan

On 9 December, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz authorized concrete and comprehensive military objectives in southern Syria. The IDF received four primary strategic objectives from Defense Minister Katz to conduct "in the immediate term":[22]

  1. To secure complete control over the buffer zone and other nearby strategic positions in Syria.
  2. To establish a security zone extending beyond the buffer zone, focusing on removing all heavy weaponry and terrorist infrastructure that could post a threat to Israel, while establishing contact with local Druze communities and other regional communities.
  3. To immediately prevent the reestablishment of Iranian arms smuggling routes to Lebanon through Syrian territory and border crossings.
  4. To continue destroying strategic heavy weapons systems throughout Syria, including air defense networks, missile systems, and coastal defense installations.

Reactions

Involved parties

  •  Israel: Israel's government said it was conducting a temporary military operation,[50] that the United States had been notified prior to going in, and that the State of Israel "does not interfere in the domestic conflict within Syria".[51] The IDF said that they "may end up staying there for the foreseeable future".[52] Yair Lapid, the Leader of the Opposition, supported the operation but criticized Netanyahu's management, saying: "I would not have gone to the border to make provocative statements to the press and put us in conflict with the new Syrian government."[53]

International

  •  Arab League: The Arab League condemned "attempts to expand occupation in the Golan Heights or to unilaterally nullify the 1974 disengagement agreement, actions that flagrantly violate international law."[54]
  •  Egypt: Egypt condemned Israel for "exploiting Syria's current instability to expand its occupation and impose a new fait accompli, a clear violation of international law."[55]
  •  France: The French foreign ministry asked Israel "to withdraw from the zone and to respect Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity", describing the military deployment as a violation of the 1974 agreement.[56]
  •  Iran: Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman said that "This aggression is a flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter," and "We demand an immediate response from the UN Security Council to stop the aggression and hold the occupation regime accountable"[57][58]
  •  Iraq: The Iraqi foreign ministry issued a statement condemning the Israeli attacks on Syria as an "action [that] is a blatant violation of international law and relevant international resolutions" and called on the UN Security Council to "fulfill its responsibilities by condemning this blatant aggression and taking necessary measures to end these violations."[59]
  •  Jordan: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi condemned the move, stating that "it violates international law".[60]
  •  Pakistan: The spokesperson for Pakistan's foreign office asserted that the move was a serious violation of international law and a dangerous development in an already volatile region. and also expressed full support for Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity and called for immediate international action to end Israel's violations.[61][62]
  •  Qatar: Qatar condemned the Israeli incursion, which it considered "a dangerous development; a blatant attack on the sovereignty and unity of Syria; and a flagrant violation of international law."[63]
  •  Saudi Arabia: The Saudi Arabian foreign ministry denounced Israel's activities, stating that it will "ruin Syria's chance of restoring its security."[64]
  •  Turkey: Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that "I say it clearly that the path the Israeli government insists on and obstinately maintains is, in fact, not a true path. Security cannot be achieved by spilling more blood, by dropping more bombs on innocent civilians. This applies not only to Gaza and Palestine, but also to Syria.[65] Turkey's foreign ministry strongly condemned Israel's entry into the buffer zone between Israel and Syria and its advance into Syrian territory. The ministry also added that Israel's actions showed an "occupation mentality", especially at a critical time when peace and stability in Syria were on the way. Turkey reiterated its support for the Syria's sovereignty, political unity and territorial integrity.[66][67]
  •  United Nations: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's spokesman Stephane Dujarric said that Israel expanding its occupation was a violation of the 1974 agreement.[68] On 10 December, Dujarric stated that: "We're against these types of attacks. I think this is a turning point for Syria. It should not be used by its neighbors to encroach on the territory of Syria."[69]
  •  United Arab Emirates: The UAE condemned Israel occupying the buffer zone.[70]
  •  United States: State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller said that "Every country has the right to take action against terrorist organizations and every country, I think, would be worried about a possible vacuum that could be filled by terrorist organizations on its border," stating that the Israeli incursion "is a temporary action that they have taken in response to actions by the Syrian military to withdraw from that area."[71]

Scholarly analysis

In an Al Jazeera English interview, Robert Geist Pinfold – lecturer in International Peace and Security at Durham University – stated, "The Golan Heights is supposed to be a buffer zone to protect the rest of Israel. So now what Israel is doing is basically arguing that it needs a buffer zone, to protect its buffer zone, that's protecting the rest of Israel, and you have to wonder where does all this end."[72]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Israeli incursion limited to abandoned Syrian Arab Army (SAA) posts on the border. However, Israeli airstrikes targeting SAA facilities have killed opposition personel that had moved into the facilities following the collapse of the Ba'athist government
  2. ^ Villages Israel has invaded along the border were under the control of the Southern Operations Room (SOR)

References

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  2. ^ a b c Krever, Mick (10 December 2024). "Israel strikes Syria 480 times and seizes territory as Netanyahu pledges to change face of the Middle East". CNN. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Fabian, Emanuel (10 December 2024). "350 strikes, targeting most arms stockpiles in Syria: IDF airs clip of its bombing spree". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  4. ^ "Israeli army begins plan to destroy Syrian Navy after near destruction of Syrian Air Force: Amal Shehadeh". LBCIV7. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
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  72. ^ Robert Geist Pinfold. What are Israel's plans in Syria and claims by far-right ministers to Damascus? (TV) (News). Al Jazeera. Event occurs at 6:26–6:43. Retrieved 10 December 2024. The Golan Heights is supposed to be a buffer zone to protect the rest of Israel. So now what Israel is doing is basically arguing that it needs a buffer zone, to protect its buffer zone, that's protecting the rest of Israel, and you have to wonder where does all this end.{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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