Israel has intensified its military operations in Syria following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, carrying out over 250 airstrikes and ground incursions in what is being described as one of its most extensive campaigns in decades. The Israeli attacks, targeting military bases, airports, and naval fleets, highlight its strategic objectives to neutralize perceived threats and capitalize on the transitional period in Syria.
The Assad regime, spanning over five decades under Hafez and Bashar al-Assad, maintained an uneasy but functional relationship with Israel. Despite anti-Israel rhetoric, the Assads effectively ensured no direct military confrontations or attacks originated from Syrian soil, providing a buffer that secured Israel’s northern borders. The regime also cracked down on Palestinian groups within Syria, further stabilizing the Israeli frontier.
Israeli forces launched wide-ranging airstrikes within hours of Assad’s fall, hitting key locations in Damascus, Homs, Latakia, and other provinces. The strikes targeted critical military infrastructure, including weapons depots, missile systems, and air bases, with Israeli officials claiming to have rendered Syria’s air force nearly inoperable.
The Israeli Navy also conducted a significant operation, destroying the Syrian fleet at ports in Latakia and Bayda, according to the Israeli Broadcasting Authority. These coordinated attacks have been described as a historic opportunity to dismantle Syrian military capabilities entirely.
In tandem with airstrikes, Israeli forces advanced into the buffer zone along the Golan Heights, claiming full control of the demilitarized area established under the 1974 Separation of Forces Agreement. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared the agreement void, citing Syria’s internal chaos as justification for “securing Israeli interests.”
Reports from Syrian and regional sources indicate Israeli troops have reached areas as far as Qatana, approximately 25 kilometers southwest of Damascus, though the Israeli military denies advancing beyond defensive positions.
Following Assad’s ouster, his family fled to Moscow, bypassing Tehran despite Iran’s longstanding support for the regime. Analysts suggest strained relations between Assad and Iranian leadership may have influenced this decision, particularly due to allegations that Assad’s regime provided intelligence on Iranian assets in Syria to Israel.
Iran, a major backer of the Assad regime, faces significant losses as its supply routes to Hezbollah and other proxies are disrupted. Israeli operations have heavily targeted Iranian positions and infrastructure in Syria, exacerbating Tehran’s concerns about the new power dynamics.
Israel’s intensified military activities aim to preempt any threats from emerging actors in Syria’s post-Assad landscape. Netanyahu has emphasized the need to eliminate potential threats to Tel Aviv, just 40 kilometers from Damascus. Additionally, according to some analysts, Israeli efforts may include, dismantling spy networks, destroying evidence, and preparing for the infiltration of new Syrian government institutions to secure long-term influence. Analysts highlight that Israel is leveraging Syria’s transitional phase to reshape the regional balance of power, ensuring no future Syrian government is capable of posing a threat.
Israel’s assertive actions in Syria underscore its intent to shape the country’s post-conflict trajectory. By dismantling Syrian and Iranian military capabilities, Israel aims to expand its borders and maintain regional dominance. However, these incursions also risk inflaming tensions with neighboring states and complicating Syria’s fragile transition.
The ongoing strikes and occupation serve as a stark reminder of the geopolitical stakes surrounding Syria, as regional and international actors maneuver to secure their interests in the wake of Assad’s regime collapse.
