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The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has reached a historic milestone with the 603rd Battalion of the Combat Engineering Corps advancing to Tel Hadar in Syria—marking the deepest point Israeli forces have entered since the Yom Kippur War in 1973.
This operation, which took the soldiers 10 kilometers into Syrian territory and just over 20 kilometers from Damascus, reflects a strategic shift and growing Israeli involvement in the region.
Captain Uri Almog, commander of the 603rd Battalion, described the rapid deployment of his company: “We left Al-Hiam last Wednesday for a weekend break. By Saturday, we were in the Golan Heights, and by Sunday, we were on Syrian soil.”
The operation, which saw the soldiers capture Tel Hadar, was conducted under the IDF’s Commando Brigade, with Brigade 7 taking the first step on the hill. This marks the furthest the IDF has penetrated into Syria in over 50 years.
Historically, the IDF has trained extensively for operations targeting Syrian army outposts, also known as “Syrian Pitas” due to their fortified nature.
However, with recent attention on threats from Lebanon and Gaza, the Israeli military was not expecting to carry out maneuvers in Syria itself.
Almog noted, “We weren’t trained for Syrian scenarios; we learned about Hezbollah and Hamas,” but acknowledged that despite initial concerns about the difficult terrain, their bulldozers were well-equipped to handle the obstacles they encountered.
The 603rd Battalion’s current position, nearly 10 kilometers inside Syria, offers an unparalleled vantage point.
From this position, soldiers can view the slopes of Mount Hermon to one side, the northern Israeli settlements behind them, and Damascus in the distance.
Almog explained that their mission is focused on fortifying positions, expanding Israel’s defensive perimeter, and safeguarding Golan Heights residents.
While the operation revealed neglected weapons and equipment left behind by Syrian forces, including rusty tanks, soldiers were surprised to find the Syrian outposts to be surprisingly well-maintained.
“The base was clean, with proper signage and trash bins,” Almog remarked. Despite this, he expressed doubt about the effectiveness of the Syrian military, noting that much of the equipment, including night-vision devices, had been left in poor condition.
Among the most telling discoveries were the observation logs kept by the Syrian forces, detailing Israeli military movements.
Almog described how one of his Druze soldiers translated entries such as, “At this hour, an IDF force approached the fence” and “A car or ambulance passed by Majdal Shams.” These logs underscored the ongoing intelligence-gathering by Syrian troops.
Although the soldiers face harsh winter conditions in the region, Almog emphasized that the army ensures their welfare: “No soldier is left shivering. We make sure to stay hydrated, even though the cold suppresses thirst.”
The soldiers have also interacted with local civilians, with Almog recounting one instance where a Syrian civilian signaled hunger, prompting him to provide a combat ration.
Captain Almog’s parents, residents of Givat Avni, expressed their concerns over his safety. “My mother is very worried, and so is my father, although he doesn’t show it,” he shared. Despite the concerns, Almog noted that his parents were reassured by the strength and security of the IDF’s operations.
This historic mission represents a significant development in Israel’s security strategy and its military engagement in the volatile region, marking a new chapter in the IDF’s operations in Syria.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members