The Israeli army attacked military depots and posts in Syria overnight on Sunday (Dec 8, 2024). According to Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, the targets were strategic weapons systems, chemical weapons and long-range rockets.
Saar told CNN that the (Israel Defense Forces) would take over the “temporary control of strategic areas close to the border” to “prevent a scenario similar to the October 7th attack by Syria”.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the attacks began in the first hours after the announcement by the opposition rebel group. The affected areas include the governorates of Latakia, Tartus, Tal al-Hara and Izraa in Daraa Governorate.
The Israeli minister said he feared that the weapons “fall into the hands of extremists”. He also expressed concern for Syrian minorities such as Kurds, Druze, Christians and Alawites.
Gideon Saar declared that al-Assad’s fall from power was no surprise, as “has long relied on foreign forces instead of the support of its own people”.
