In this context, Omar Aqla, one of the notable figures from southern Syria, categorically denied these reports in a special statement to Sputnik, affirming that there is no new evidence suggesting an intention to penetrate or take control of the villages and towns in Daraa by land. Aqla explained that the promoters of these rumors based their claims on the recent military reinforcements sent by the Israeli army to the occupied Golan Heights, coinciding with the tensions in the As-Suwayda Governorate. He pointed out that these movements were a precaution against any developments that might lead to military operations extending towards the Golan.
In a related context, Syrian political analyst and former parliamentarian Walid Darwish, in an exclusive talk with Sputnik, stated that the repeated Israeli incursions and attacks on Syrian sovereignty are essentially paving the way for a large-scale ground incursion in the near future. Darwish clarified that Israel seeks to exploit security and political justifications for a ground incursion, noting that these justifications are already prepared by Israeli decision-makers, especially regarding the positioning in the Quneitra and Daraa areas, and the complete control over the “Triangle of Death” linking Daraa, As-Suwayda, and Quneitra.
Darwish concluded by saying that an Israeli ground incursion is inevitable, but Tel Aviv is currently striving to empty political agreements of their substance before making any field advances, suggesting that the Sumaria area in Damascus might be one of the main targets of this future incursion.
Last Thursday, the Israeli army spokesperson, Colonel Nadav Shoshani, published photos claiming they show another spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, during his visit to the “Druze communities” in Syria. Shoshani attached his post with a series of photos showing Adraee meeting several individuals dressed in the attire of Druze religious men at various locations. Shoshani stated, “This is how my friend Avichay Adraee is welcomed in the Druze communities inside Syria.”
Social media users circulated photos reportedly showing Adraee’s inspection tour of the Druze villages located between Mount Hermon and the countryside of Damascus, to observe “civilian” projects implemented by the Israeli army aimed at assisting the Druze. This is amidst Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s demand to establish Syrian presence, allegedly to allow aid to the Druze and prepare militarily to defend them.
Smotrich wrote on his “X” platform account that the situation in As-Suwayda is very difficult, considering the current ceasefire as nothing but a type of deceptive calm to besiege the Druze. Tensions between Damascus and Tel Aviv escalated after the latter bombed Syrian army sites, in light of the crisis witnessed in As-Suwayda city, and attacks by tribal and Bedouin groups on the city, with severe violations observed during battles, prompting the leader and Sheikh of the Druze in As-Suwayda, Hikmat al-Hijri, to call for international intervention to protect his sect from “the crimes they faced,” leading Damascus and Tel Aviv to agree on a truce with American and Arab mediation.
