Israeli Airstrikes Target Southern Syria Amid Rising Tensions

Damascus, Syria – Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes late Tuesday on a town south of Syria’s capital, as well as locations in the southern province of Daraa, according to residents, security sources, and Syria TV.

The strikes come as Israel enforces what it calls a new policy to prevent Syrian regime forces and militant groups from establishing a presence near its border.

A series of powerful explosions and the sound of low-flying aircraft were reported over Damascus, with multiple blasts echoing through the city, according to eyewitnesses and Reuters correspondents on the ground.

Israel’s Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, emphasized the strategic intent behind the airstrikes, stating that Israel will not tolerate a situation where southern Syria mirrors southern Lebanon in terms of threats posed to its national security.

“We will not allow southern Syria to become southern Lebanon,” Gallant declared in a statement issued on Saturday.

“The Air Force is currently conducting powerful strikes in southern Syria as part of our new policy of demilitarizing the region. We will not jeopardize the security of our citizens. Any attempt by Syrian regime forces and terrorist organizations to entrench themselves in the security zone of southern Syria will be met with fire.”

According to Syrian security sources and state-run Syria TV, the Israeli airstrikes hit Kisweh, a town located approximately 20 kilometers south of Damascus.

The sources confirmed that a military site in the area was targeted, though specific details about the extent of the damage or casualties remain undisclosed.

This latest escalation follows a pattern of Israeli military actions in Syria, where the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have conducted numerous airstrikes against Iranian-linked targets and military sites affiliated with Hezbollah.

The IDF has consistently stated that such operations are necessary to counter the growing influence of Iran-backed militant groups, which Israel considers a direct threat to its borders.

The airstrikes also highlight the broader regional tensions, particularly in the wake of the ongoing conflict in Gaza and heightened confrontations along Israel’s northern frontier with Hezbollah.

Israeli officials have expressed concerns that Iranian proxy forces, including elements of the Syrian military, may seek to exploit the situation to launch attacks against Israeli territory.

Syria has repeatedly condemned Israeli airstrikes as violations of its sovereignty, calling on the international community to pressure Israel into ceasing its military operations within Syrian territory.

However, Israel maintains that its military actions are preemptive measures to ensure its security and prevent hostile forces from gaining a foothold near its border.

The United Nations has previously urged restraint from all sides to prevent further destabilization in the region, but with hostilities persisting, the potential for further escalation remains high.

As of Wednesday morning, there has been no official statement from the Syrian government regarding the impact of the strikes or any potential casualties.

Analysts suggest that Israel’s military campaign in Syria is likely to continue as long as perceived threats persist, keeping the region on edge amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

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