A notable figure from the southern Syrian region, Omar Aqla, told the Sputnik agency: “More than 12 Israeli military vehicles entered the Abidin area in the western Daraa province, set up several mobile checkpoints, and began a campaign of house searches in the town before withdrawing towards their military positions near the border.” Aqla explained that since March, 42 Syrian citizens have been arrested from various locations in the Damascus, Quneitra, and Daraa countryside, claiming to have found weapons and ammunition at those sites.
Aqla attributed the escalation of security tensions in southern Syria to several reasons, most notably the large military reinforcements sent by the Israeli army in recent hours, along with intensified aerial operations. Israeli reconnaissance planes have become a constant presence in the region’s skies.
Political analyst and expert on Israeli affairs, Adel Shadeed, stated to Sputnik: “Israel’s vision towards the new Syria is clear; it aims not to allow Syria to rise or regain its strength in terms of power balance. This means Israel aims to be the most important player and influencer, not only by controlling the southern region extending from Damascus to the occupied Golan but by being present in shaping all of Syria, from its far north to its far south, to be a strong competitor to all regional and international powers, especially Turkey.”
He continued, “This translates to turning Syria into something akin to the West Bank, an area of influence and security impact where Israelis can enter, raid, arrest, kill, and demolish homes, without a Syrian deterrent force, essentially turning the new Syria into a functional entity serving Israeli interests,” as he described.
Shadeed pointed out that “some actions by the new interim government, when it attempted to send calming messages to Israel, such as stating that the new Syria poses no threat to its neighbors—referring to Israel—or when it described Iran and Hezbollah as a common enemy, were perceived in Israel as messages of weakness and surrender, and that the new Syria is deterred and ready to make concessions to ensure Israeli facilitation and approval.”
He added, “It is clear that Israel has achieved many accomplishments, aligning with its narrative of having made significant geopolitical changes in the region over the past two years, specifically targeting Syria, which has been placed in a completely different position.”
