Hey amigos, there's some intense news coming from the Middle East! 🌍 On Monday, the Israeli army took control of areas near the Israel-Syria border and launched strikes on strategic weapons in Syria. Here's what's going down.
🇮🇱 Israeli Tanks Roll into Syria
Israeli tanks advanced into the southwestern Syrian city of Quneitra near the Golan Heights, reaching the governorate building while drones circled overhead, according to Syrian sources. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that multiple sites in Quneitra were hit.
⚠️ Violations Spark Response
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar stated that militants in Syria crossed into the buffer zone between Syria and Israel over the weekend, violating the disengagement agreement between the two countries. These militants also attacked positions of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, which monitors the agreement near the border.
💥 Israel Strikes Back
\"In response, and given the threat to our communities in the Golan Heights, the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) carried out a targeted and temporary operation to take control of areas near the border,\" Sa'ar said.
The Israeli army launched strikes targeting \"strategic weapons systems, residual chemical weapons capabilities, and long-range missiles and rockets\" in Syria to prevent them from falling into the hands of \"extremist elements.\"
🎯 Mount Hermon and Airstrikes
Israeli commando forces seized the buffer zone and a Syrian army outpost on the summit of Mount Hermon on Sunday, while Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes near Damascus and other areas, targeting weapons storage facilities.
🛡️ Preventing Extremist Takeover
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he ordered the military to take control of these positions temporarily to ensure they wouldn't fall into the hands of militant groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. This group has been leading a sweeping offensive across Syria since November 27, resulting in the rapid fall of President Bashar al-Assad's government on Sunday.
📣 Changes in Damascus
On Monday, the general command of the militant groups that captured Damascus announced that acts of violence, personal score-settling, and the sale of stolen weapons would carry stiff penalties, including up to three years in prison. Public sector employees have been ordered to return to work, and pharmacists must keep their shops open during designated hours or risk confiscation.
🌙 Curfews and Resuming Life
A strict overnight curfew from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. has been imposed in Damascus and surrounding areas, as well as in the coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartous. The curfew exempts security personnel, firefighters, medical staff, ambulances, and internal security forces. Violators will face a month in jail.
The University of Tartous announced the resumption of administrative and academic operations starting Tuesday. Exams, especially practical assessments, will be rescheduled later.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story. 📢
Reference(s):
Israeli army controls border areas, strikes strategic weapons in Syria
cgtn.com
