After the fall of the Baath Party and Assad regime after more than six decades, the Israeli army today deployed forces in the demilitarized zone separating Israel and Syria and set up defensive positions to “ensure the security” of the occupied Golan Heights.
The Israeli army cited concerns about developments in Syria and the potential for armed groups to enter the demilitarized zone as reasons for the deployment.
The army said the measures were taken to “ensure the security of the residents of the Golan Heights and Israeli citizens” and affirmed that it “will not interfere in events in Syria.”
The army added that it would “continue to act as necessary to maintain the demilitarized zone and protect Israel and its citizens.”
Israel Army Radio reported that Israel was significantly strengthening its forces in the Golan Heights, including the deployment of the 98th Division along with paratrooper and commando brigades to the Syrian border.
The Baath Party regime in Syria has fallen after 61 years in power.
The Syrian regime, which had been in power since 1963 and was opposed by an uprising in 2011, which led to the outbreak of the Syrian civil war, fell after losing control of the capital, Damascus.
Israeli airstrikes have intensified across Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government. Explosions were heard in the Mazzeh district of Damascus, and security sources told Reuters that Israeli aircraft were believed to have carried out the attack.
According to regional intelligence sources, the targets of the attacks were key Syrian army military bases, including the former Khalkhala air base in the south of the country. Airstrikes were also recorded in the regions of Daraa, Suwayda and near Inkhil airport and military positions in Quneitra.
In eastern Syria, Israeli aircraft targeted the town of Mayadin in the southern part of Deir ez-Zor province, while in Suwayda province, targets included the Khalkhala air base. The attacks were followed by the bombing of heavy weapons and military equipment depots across the country.
As a reminder, rebel forces entered Damascus this morning, which was captured virtually without resistance by Syrian forces loyal to Assad. According to available information, the Syrian president has left the capital, and his current location remains unknown.
The Arab Socialist Party came to power in Syria in a coup in 1963. In 1970, Bashar al-Assad’s father, Hafez, took control of the party in a coup, and in 1971 he became president.
Bashar al-Assad took power in 2000, after the death of his father.
The Assads and the Baath Party fell when anti-regime forces entered Damascus, AA writes.
