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In an unprecedented development, villagers and rebel forces in the Syrian Golan and the buffer zone have been transferring weapon stockpiles from the previous regime to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), exclusive footage from N12 revealed on Monday.
The operation involves large quantities of ammunition, grenades, mortars, and bombs, including weapons laced with chemical warfare agents.
The footage captured by N12 shows trucks being loaded with hundreds of boxes by Syrian villagers and rebel fighters, who then transfer the cache to the IDF.
The weapons, remnants of the arsenal amassed during former Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad’s regime, are being delivered to Israel as part of what is described as a coordinated handover process.
Chemical Weapons Among the Cache
IDF soldiers reported that many of the weapons were discovered to contain chemical warfare materials, raising significant safety and security concerns.
“You can see cheap grenades that were filled with chemical material, and they need to add a mechanism to activate them,” IDF soldiers told N12.
The soldiers explained that some of the materials pose immediate health risks. “There are boxes full of grenades with chemical materials that cause irritation and should not be touched directly,” they added.
The discovery underscores the lingering danger of Assad’s chemical weapons program, which was widely condemned by the international community.
Assad’s regime infamously used chemical agents against opposition forces and civilians during the Syrian civil war, leaving a grim legacy that continues to affect the region.
IDF Secures Buffer Zone Amid Regime Transition
According to N12, the handover of weapons is taking place in the Syrian buffer zone, a demilitarized area established along the ceasefire line between Israel and Syria.
The region has been under IDF observation as Syria undergoes a transitional period following years of civil war and political upheaval.
Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz has reportedly instructed the IDF to maintain a presence in the buffer zone for the foreseeable future.
“We will ensure stability and security in the region until the new regime in Syria establishes itself,” Katz stated, emphasizing the importance of preventing the proliferation of dangerous materials.
The IDF is conducting operations to secure and neutralize the transferred weapons. The footage showed soldiers on armored personnel carriers managing the collection and transportation of the stockpiles. Experts are now working to assess and safely dispose of the chemical-laden devices.
A Fragile Regional Stability
The Syrian conflict has left behind a fractured nation with various factions vying for control. The transfer of these weapons highlights the challenges faced by both the rebels and international stakeholders, including Israel, in ensuring regional stability.
This cooperative effort between Syrian rebels and the IDF marks a rare instance of collaboration in a historically adversarial context. As Israel continues to monitor the situation, the safe disposal of these weapons remains a priority to prevent their potential misuse.
For now, the IDF’s efforts along the ceasefire line reflect broader regional concerns about the proliferation of chemical weapons and the security challenges posed by an unstable Syria.