Taking advantage of the transition period in Syria, Israel has launched more than 350 attacks on the country’s military presence. Estimates show that Israel has destroyed 70 percent of Syria’s military presence. Targeting Syria’s naval and air forces, Israel also struck many important weapons systems. The Israeli press reported claims that these attacks were carried out with the support of the former Syrian Defense Minister and that information was provided by a spy codenamed “Musa.” Israel struck small stocks of chemical weapons such as mustard gas and VX gas in Syria, radar systems, Russian-made air defense missile and Scud missile depots, and naval rocket carrier ships, claiming that they “could fall into the hands of terrorist groups.” Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar claimed that the chemical weapons and long-range missiles were targeted to prevent them from falling into the hands of extremists.
Israel first expanded the area it controls in the Golan Heights, taking advantage of the transition period in Syria. Before a new government was established in Syria, the Israeli army launched more than 350 attacks on military bases and critical military units in the country.
SYRIAN ARMY ALMOST MELT DOWN
The Israeli Air Force targeted numerous missile batteries that can be fired with Scud and cruise missiles, as well as surface-to-air, surface-to-surface and sea-to-sea missiles. Israel is known to have targeted a range of Syrian army weapons systems, including drones, fighter jets, attack helicopters, radars, tanks and aircraft hangars. Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee said the strikes destroyed more than 70 percent of Syria’s military capabilities. Israel also struck Syrian naval bases and warships, most notably in Latakia.
Israel also struck a Syrian naval facility in Mina al-Bayda, where 15 naval vessels were anchored. The Israeli airstrikes targeted Damascus, Homs, Tartus, Latakia and Palmyra.
DID SPY REPORT THE TARGETS?
As the backlash against the sweeping attack continues, a website called The Media Line claimed that the strikes were coordinated with a minister from the former Syrian government. The report, based on leaked documents, brought up the alleged cooperation between former Syrian Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Ali Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli intermediaries via encrypted messaging applications. The documents in the report reveal that an Israeli agent identified as “Mousa” communicated with the Assad regime and coordinated attacks on Iranian positions near Damascus and Aleppo.
Ahmad Al-Dalati, a leader in the joint operations management of the opposition groups controlling Syria, told The Media Line that they secured all military facilities they captured after the fall of the Assad regime. Al-Dalati said that Israeli attacks focused on missile depots, scientific research centers and naval vessels and that such actions were unacceptable. Dalati rejected Israel’s claim that Iranian forces were still present in these areas.
FIRST THE GOLAN OCCUPATION EXPANDED
After the fall of the Syrian regime, the Israeli army first changed the status quo on the Golan Heights. Israel began operations by seizing control of a buffer zone in Syria, established in 1974 under a ceasefire agreement following the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the deployment was a temporary defensive measure necessary because Syrian troops had to leave their positions. “We have ordered the Israeli army to take over these positions to ensure that no enemy forces are positioned right next to the Israeli border,” Netanyahu told a news conference.
Israel has recently stepped up its efforts in the area. In October, Israel cleared landmines and erected new barriers along the border between the Golan Heights and the buffer zone. The Israeli army also imposed a curfew in several Syrian villages inside the buffer zone, ordering residents to stay home until further notice.
