According to Syrian security sources, an Israeli military incursion into Syria has advanced approximately 25km southwest of Damascus. This follows Israel’s establishment of a buffer zone in southern Syria and air strikes on Syrian army positions and airbases overnight.
The Israeli military operation in Syria commenced just two days after a rapid coup led by a rebel alliance resulted in the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad, raising concerns among Syrians, regional governments, and global powers about the future direction of the country.
A Syrian security source reported that Israeli forces reached Qatana, situated 10km within Syrian territory, east of a demilitarized zone that separates the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria.
However, an Israeli military spokesperson refuted claims of any Israeli troops crossing beyond the buffer zone into Syrian territory.
Israel has stated that it will refrain from getting involved in the conflict within Syria and characterized its creation of the buffer zone as a defensive measure.
The incursions have drawn condemnation from Egypt, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia expressed that this action would “undermine Syria’s chances of regaining security.”
According to regional security sources and some officers from the now-defunct Syrian army, heavy Israeli airstrikes targeted military facilities and airbases throughout Syria overnight, destroying numerous helicopters and jets, as well as assets belonging to the Republican Guard in and around Damascus.
Citizens congregate at Umayyad Square to celebrate the end of 61 years of Baath Party dominance.
The count of around 200 raids reportedly left the Syrian army’s assets in ruins. Israel asserted that its airstrikes would continue for several days but informed the UN Security Council that it was not intervening in Syria’s internal conflict.
It stated that it had implemented “limited and temporary measures” solely for the sake of its own security. The United Nations Security Council convened behind closed doors late yesterday, and diplomats indicated they were still astounded at the rapidity with which Mr. Assad’s ouster unfolded over just 12 days following a civil war that had reached a stalemate for over 13 years.
“Everyone was caught off guard, including the members of the council. Therefore, we have to remain watchful and assess how the situation evolves,” Russian UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told reporters after the council meeting.
Russia had significantly backed Mr. Assad’s government in its fight against the rebels. The Syrian leader fled to Moscow on Sunday, concluding more than 50 years of tyrannical rule by his family.
As celebrations continued in Damascus, his prime minister, Mohammed Jalali, agreed to relinquish power to the rebel-led Salvation government, which is based in the rebel-controlled region of northwest Syria.
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The principal rebel commander Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, held discussions with Mr. Jalali and Vice President Faisal Mekdad regarding the transitional government, as reported by a source familiar with the talks. Mr. Jalali indicated that the transfer of power could take several days to finalize.
Al Jazeera reported that the transitional authority would be led by Mohamed al-Bashir, who currently heads the Salvation government.
The rapid advance of the militia alliance led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former affiliate of al-Qaeda, marks a pivotal moment for the Middle East.
The civil war, which erupted in 2011, claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, triggered one of the largest refugee crises in modern history, and left cities in ruins, rural areas depopulated, and the economy devastated by global sanctions.
However, the rebel alliance has yet to communicate concrete plans for Syria’s future, and there is no established framework for such a transition in this tumultuous region.
“This is a significant moment for the Syrian populace,” remarked Deputy US Ambassador to the UN Robert Wood in New York.
“We are currently focused on observing how the situation unfolds. Can a governing body in Syria emerge that honors the rights and dignity of the Syrian people?”
The US is exploring ways to engage with Syrian rebel factions and is reaching out to regional partners, including Turkey, to initiate informal diplomatic discussions, according to statements from Washington.
Qatari diplomats engaged with HTS yesterday, as disclosed by an official briefed on the developments, as regional states race to establish relations with the group.
Syrians rejoice at the fall of the Assad regime.
Signs indicating a possible return to normalcy began to emerge. Syria’s banks will resume operations, and the oil ministry has summoned all employees in that sector to report to work, assuring that measures would be in place to guarantee their safety.
Reuters journalists observed the arrival of four mini-buses at the Central Bank of Syria, with employees disembarking and entering the building for their first workday since the fall of Mr. Assad.
“It symbolizes a new beginning; it’s a new day, a new year, a new life,” remarked one employee.
Mr. Jolani has pledged to rebuild Syria, and HTS has spent years attempting to improve its image to gain the confidence of foreign nations and minority groups within Syria.
Abu Mohammad al-Jolani announced that those responsible for the torture of the Syrian people would face justice.
Concerns over potential retaliation persist. HTS stated it would not shy away from holding accountable security and military officials implicated in the torture of the Syrian people, labeling them as criminals and murderers.
“We plan to release a list that includes the names of senior officials most involved in torturing the Syrian populace,” Mr. Jolani stated in a press release.
“Bounties will be offered for information regarding senior military and security officials involved in war crimes.”
HTS is designated as a terrorist organization by numerous nations and the UN, and its legitimacy as a governing entity remains uncertain.
“Syrians are eagerly anticipating the establishment of a state grounded in freedom, equality, the rule of law, and democracy. We will collaborate in rebuilding our country, restoring what was destroyed, and forging a brighter future for Syria,” declared Syria’s UN Ambassador Koussay Aldahhak to reporters.
