Israel claims to have destroyed Syria's heavy strategic weapons depot

Israel on December 9 destroyed dozens of planes, helicopters and other equipment at at least three Syrian military bases.

Israeli officials say the country will step up air strikes on Syria's advanced weapons depots and maintain a "limited" military presence on the ground to deter any threats that may emerge after the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad's regime.

Israel is watching the developments in Syria with a mixture of hope and concern as it weighs the consequences of one of the most significant strategic shifts in the Middle East in years, Reuters reported.

Israel rapidly destroys weapons, sends troops into Syria, US does not object

Israel sees the fall of President Assad, a key ally of Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon, as a positive sign, but also expresses concern about how the situation will develop next.

"We are now taking all necessary actions to try to ensure the security of the country in relation to the new situation in Syria," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on the evening of December 9.

Israeli forces gather near the ceasefire line between Syria and the Golan Heights on December 9, 2024.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said the military will destroy heavy strategic weapons across Syria, including surface-to-air missiles, air defense systems, surface-to-surface missiles, cruise missiles, long-range missiles and coastal defense missiles.

A senior Israeli official said the airstrikes would continue in the coming days. Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Israel had no intention of interfering in Syria's internal affairs and was only concerned with protecting its citizens. "That is why Israel targets strategic weapons systems, such as remaining chemical weapons stocks or long-range missiles and rockets, so that they do not fall into the hands of extremists," Saar said.

Israel is also seeking to prevent any future threats from its neighbor. In October, Israeli forces cleared mines and installed new barriers on the border between the Golan Heights and a demilitarized strip bordering Syria. The army said on December 8 that it had sent ground troops into the demilitarized zone, a 400-square ^- kilometer buffer zone created under the 1974 Separation of Forces Agreement and monitored by the United Nations Observer Force in the Golan Heights (UNDOF).

In another development, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned on December 9 that many countries will try to take advantage of this period to re-establish their capabilities in Syria, while affirming that the US will not let that happen.

Which foreign troops are in Syria and why are they there?

Mr. Blinken said the US will continue to protect its personnel from any threat. Secretary of State Blinken also said the Syrian people must choose their own future.

Also on December 9, Italy, Germany and Austria suspended processing all asylum applications from Syrian citizens until there is clearer information about political developments in this Middle Eastern country.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/israel-tuyen-bo-pha-huy-kho-vu-khi-chien-luoc-hang-nang-cua-syria-185241210075308525.htm