Israeli airstrikes in Syria set red lines for Damascus Authority

Israeli political sources told Al-Sharq Al-Awsat that the Israeli military's recent bombing of targets near the town of Sa'sa, west of Daraa in southern Syria, on February 18, 2025, was a political message with a military presence, marking a red line that no military force—whether affiliated with the Syrian regime or rogue terrorist groups—would be allowed to cross in the Yarmouk Valley.

The sources added that several military units are challenging Damascus's control in southern Syria, and Israel is determined to confront them, reinforcing the message that "playing with Israel comes at a steep price."

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced that its warplanes struck military targets associated with the previous Syrian regime in the vicinity of Sa'sa, with nine airstrikes carried out under the guidance of the IDF's 210th Division. The operation is part of Israel’s ongoing efforts to eliminate threats to its security.

Israeli radio reported that Israeli jets targeted three Syrian tanks near Sa'sa, approximately 20 kilometers from the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. These tanks, although carrying weapons and ammunition, had not yet entered service with the new Syrian regime and were targeted to prevent them from reaching Syrian forces or other groups Israel classified as "terrorist."

Other military sources acknowledged that these airstrikes were part of the broader messages Israel has been sending to Damascus since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. These messages emphasize Israel's presence in Syria, its role in the regime’s downfall, and its unwillingness to be ignored. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously stated after meeting U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio that "we didn’t receive flowers from Damascus after Assad’s fall, but that’s fine. The important thing is that we will not allow anyone to attack us."

Military sources in Tel Aviv confirmed that Israel has conducted intensive operations in Syria since Assad’s ouster on December 8, 2024, carrying out approximately 500 airstrikes that destroyed most of Syria’s defensive capabilities, as well as its air and naval forces. Israel has also taken control of the buffer zone established under the 1974 disengagement agreement with Syria, expanding its presence in the Golan Heights to cover 400 square kilometers, 15-20 kilometers deep along the border from Mount Hermon to the southern Golan, including all strategic mountain peaks and water sources crucial for southern Syria.

Last week, Yedioth Ahronoth reported that Israel is considering a new strategy involving a 15-kilometer deep military zone in Syria, with intelligence control extending 60 kilometers. This zone is intended to prevent any Syrian or other military forces from entering, ensuring Israel’s security by blocking missile threats from reaching the Golan.

Despite Damascus's public declarations of non-hostility toward Israel and their commitment to the 1974 disengagement agreement, Tel Aviv remains skeptical, criticizing the West's engagement with Syria. Israeli officials expressed disbelief over the influx of Western diplomats to Damascus, describing it as "political blindness."

An Israeli official during a security cabinet meeting commented, "The West is now sending high-level representatives to Damascus, hoping to see actual moderation from the regime. In doing so, the West is choosing to ignore the reality. These are the most dangerous people in the world."

According to the official, while Damascus has communicated to Israel that it does not intend to go to war, doubts persist. "This may hold true for a year or two, maybe even 10 or 20 years, but no one can guarantee that they won’t eventually turn their fire on us."

a.k

ANHA