ALWAGHT- According to a recent report, the Israeli military has taken control of several villages south of Damascus, with its tanks positioned approximately 20 kilometers from the outskirts of the Syrian capital.
Israeli tanks have advanced beyond the southwestern Syrian city of Quneitra, reaching within 3 kilometers of Qatana, a town near Damascus.
Israel initiated its efforts to expand its presence in Syria on Sunday, following a rapid two-week offensive led by foreign-backed militants, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which resulted in the capture of Damascus and the declaration of the Syrian government’s fall.
Israeli forces have taken control of the buffer zone separating the occupied Golan Heights from the rest of Syria, violating the 1974 disengagement agreement between Israel and Syria. Additionally, they seized the strategic Mount Hermon in Golan, which offers a significant vantage point over the area.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the Syrian Golan Heights would remain under Israeli control "for eternity." Israel’s actions have drawn strong condemnation from regional nations, accusing the regime of exploiting Syria’s instability.
Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi criticized Israel’s actions, stating, 'We condemn the fact that Israel has entered Syrian territory and taken control of the buffer zone.' Similarly, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry expressed disapproval, declaring, 'The seizure of the buffer zone in the Golan Heights confirms Israel’s continued violations of international law and its intent to undermine Syria’s prospects for restoring stability and territorial integrity.'
Meanwhile, Israeli media reported nearly 300 air raids on Syria over the past two days. Analysts warned that, at this rate, the Syrian Air Force could be incapacitated within days. New strikes targeted the city of Salamiyah in Hama Province’s eastern countryside, military facilities north of Raqqah, and the Shayrat air base in Homs' countryside.
