Damascus (TDI): The Israeli army has taken control of key areas near the Israel-Syria border and carried out airstrikes targeting strategic weapons systems in Syria, officials confirmed on Monday.
Israeli tanks advanced into Quneitra, a southwestern Syrian city near the occupied Golan Heights, reaching the governorate building amidst reports of airstrikes and drone activity, Xinhua reported.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported multiple sites in Quneitra were hit.
In Damascus, Israeli warplanes were seen overhead as mobs looted abandoned military positions.
Streets were strewn with shattered glass, disabled vehicles, and evidence of ransacked banks and kiosks.
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Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar stated that militants had violated the buffer zone agreement by crossing into the area and attacking United Nations Disengagement Observer Force positions.
In response, the Israeli military launched a “targeted and temporary operation” to secure areas near the border, citing a threat to communities in the Golan Heights.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed airstrikes targeting weapons storage sites, residual chemical weapons capabilities, and long-range missile systems in Damascus and other regions to prevent them from falling into the hands of extremist groups.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the operation was necessary to prevent militants, including those aligned with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, from gaining control of strategic positions.
The militant group’s offensive since late November led to the rapid collapse of President Bashar al-Assad’s government on Sunday.
Meanwhile, militant leaders in Damascus imposed strict curfews and penalties for violence and theft.
Public sector employees were ordered to resume work, and pharmacies were instructed to remain open.
The University of Tartous announced the resumption of academic operations starting Tuesday, with exams to be rescheduled.
This development comes amid heightened tensions in the region, as control of strategic locations and resources remains fiercely contested.
