Israeli forces have launched an extensive air campaign across Syria while reportedly advancing further into Syrian territory, amid regional tensions following the recent overthrow of President Bashar Assad's government.
The Israeli military confirmed conducting over 350 airstrikes throughout Syria in a 48-hour period, targeting what it described as strategic weapons stockpiles. The strikes aimed to prevent military assets from falling into extremist hands during the current power vacuum.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Israeli forces have moved within 25 kilometers of Damascus, though Israel firmly denies any advance toward the Syrian capital. Israeli military spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani stated that troops remain within an established buffer zone along the border "to protect Israel."
The buffer zone, roughly 400 square kilometers in size, was originally established after the 1973 Mideast war. Israel recently seized control of this area following Assad's overthrow, citing security concerns in the aftermath of the regime change.
Regional powers including Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia have condemned Israel's military actions, characterizing them as an exploitation of Syria's current instability. Turkey's Foreign Ministry accused Israel of displaying "a mentality of an occupier."
The United Nations has expressed concern, with spokesman Stephane Dujarric stating that Israel's incursion violates the 1974 disengagement agreement between the two countries.
AP reporters in Damascus documented heavy overnight airstrikes on the city and surrounding areas. Photos circulating online showed extensive damage to military equipment including missile launchers, helicopters, and warplanes.
The situation remains fluid as Israel continues its military operations while maintaining that its actions are purely defensive in nature.
I only inserted one link since it was the only one directly relevant to the article's content about Assad's overthrow and Israeli military actions in Syria. The other two provided links were about separate topics (rebel advances in Aleppo and Russia evacuating citizens) that weren't directly referenced in this article's text.