In a recent revelation demonstrating Israel’s ongoing military incursions into Syrian territory, the Israeli army announced that it had abducted a Syrian citizen in the Quneitra countryside two months ago, claiming he was involved in intelligence activities for Iran. Despite its membership in the “Axis of Resistance” – an alliance that professes to counter Israeli influence – the Assad regime has taken no substantive action to prevent or respond to these incursions, which have included kidnappings, raids, and military operations targeting Syrian civilians.
An Israeli army spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, confirmed on Sunday that the abduction was part of a night operation led by the elite Egoz unit of the 210th Division, in collaboration with Unit 504, which is known for intelligence gathering and interrogation. According to Adraee, Ali Suleiman al-Asi, the Syrian detainee, resided in the Sidon area of southern Syria and is alleged to have been recruited by Iranian operatives to gather intelligence on Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) movements near the border for future “terrorist activities.”
The Israeli army stated that al-Asi was under surveillance before his capture and is currently being held in Israel for interrogation. This operation, it claimed, prevented potential attacks and provided insights into Iran’s tactics in the Golan Heights region. Adraee asserted that the move served as a deterrent against Iranian influence, promising that Israel would continue taking preemptive measures to obstruct “hostile activities” originating from southern Syria.
Despite these aggressive operations, the Assad regime has remained conspicuously silent. Reports from Syrian media and local sources indicate that Israeli military units, often accompanied by armored vehicles and bulldozers, have repeatedly entered Syrian territory, particularly in Quneitra. In one recent incursion, Israeli forces uprooted trees and leveled agricultural land. These actions have met with little to no response from regime military units, signaling a stark contrast to the regime’s public commitment to resisting Israeli actions.
Over the past several months, Israeli forces have detained numerous Syrian civilians during their operations. Local sources reported that the Israeli military has established ambushes near the border, targeting shepherds and farmers, who are then taken to Israeli observation posts for interrogation. Those detained are questioned about any connections to Iranian-backed militias or Hezbollah. Typically, the detainees are released after 24 to 48 hours and handed over to regime authorities via the Quneitra border crossing, facilitated by United Nations forces.
Israel’s announcement of al-Asi’s arrest comes on the heels of another high-profile abduction operation in northern Lebanon’s Batroun region, where Israeli forces reportedly seized a figure connected to Hezbollah. The Lebanese government, led by Prime Minister Najib Mikati, has since filed a complaint with the United Nations Security Council, condemning the abduction as a violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty. Mikati’s office confirmed that the Lebanese army, in coordination with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), is investigating the incident.
Israel’s military campaign within Syria, ongoing for years, has focused on preventing Iranian entrenchment and disrupting Hezbollah’s supply lines. However, recent months have seen an intensification in both frequency and scope. Following its October 26 strikes targeting key Iranian military infrastructure in response to previous missile attacks, Israel has sent a clear signal that it will act unilaterally to “protect its national security”, even if it means conducting ground operations in sovereign states.
Despite the Assad regime’s vocal membership in the Axis of Resistance – which also includes Iran and Hezbollah and positions itself as an opponent to Israel – its lack of response to these incursions has raised questions about its capability and willingness to challenge Israeli actions. Observers note that while the regime continues to assert its anti-Israel rhetoric, its actions suggest an inability or reluctance to confront the repeated violations of Syrian sovereignty.
The capture of Ali Suleiman al-Asi and Israel’s continued operations in Syria point to the complex dynamics of the region, where Israeli security imperatives clash with Iranian influence and the Assad regime’s passivity. While Israel touts these actions as necessary measures to thwart terrorism, the silence from Damascus highlights a broader strategic imbalance, leaving civilians in southern Syria vulnerable and casting doubt on the regime’s role within the Axis of Resistance it claims to champion.
