The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) captured a key Syrian Army outpost at the summit of Mount Hermon in the Golan Heights on Sunday, December 8, following the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria. Israeli state media reported that the operation aimed to secure the area and prevent armed groups from gaining a foothold near Israel’s borders.
The IDF had earlier announced its movement into the demilitarized buffer zone, citing the need to preemptively block any potential threats posed by rebel forces in the region.
Netanyahu’s Directive: Securing the Buffer Zone
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Sunday that he had ordered the military to seize the buffer zone along the Israel-Syria border. He cited the breakdown of a 50-year-old disengagement agreement between the two nations as the primary reason for the military action.
“Syrian forces have abandoned their positions,” Netanyahu said, adding, “We will not allow any hostile force to establish itself on our border.”
In a military statement, the IDF highlighted the risk of “armed individuals” entering the buffer zone and underscored its commitment to ensuring the safety of Israeli citizens and communities in the Golan Heights.
Israeli Airstrikes on Damascus Weapons Depot
Amid its operations, Israel also launched an airstrike on a weapons depot in Damascus, targeting military assets left behind by Syrian forces. According to Reuters and China Global Television Network (CGTN), the strike was intended to prevent advanced weaponry from falling into the hands of anti-Israeli rebel factions.
Hydar Kazwini, a CGTN reporter, explained the rationale behind the strike:
“The Israelis don’t want the weapons of the Syrian military to be looted or scattered into the hands of rebels… They are striking cutting-edge weapons to prevent their misuse.”
Geopolitical Implications
The fall of the Assad regime and the subsequent instability in Syria have escalated regional tensions. By capturing key positions in the buffer zone and Mount Hermon, Israel aims to fortify its borders and mitigate the risk of attacks from various armed groups operating in the area.
The IDF’s actions underline the strategic importance of the Golan Heights, a region that has long been a point of contention between Israel and Syria.
