The Israeli expansionist strategy continues in Syria. Several raids targeting a factory and laboratory linked to the Syrian Defense Ministry in Aleppo province have been reported. Tel Aviv also got its hands on the al-Mantara dam, the largest in southern Syria. Our explanations.
At dawn on Friday, local Syrian media reported that Israeli planes carried out strikes against a factory and laboratory linked to the Syrian Defense Ministry, located in the northern Syrian province of Aleppo. These facilities, associated with the local scientific research center, were destroyed, resulting in a magnitude 2.5 earthquake.
Intensification of strikes near Damascus
On Thursday, Israeli media confirmed strikes targeting Tal Chahim, a strategic position located 30 kilometers south of Damascus. Powerful explosions were heard in the surrounding area, particularly to the west of the capital. This site, crucial for regional surveillance, housed communications infrastructure, radars, as well as missile and anti-blind projectile warehouses.
Israeli ambitions in the occupied territories
Israel, having violated the 1974 disengagement agreements, is continuing its expansionist strategy in Syria. Among the 600 km² of occupied Syrian territories in the provinces of Deraa and Quneitra, some recent crucial hydraulic resources.
On Thursday January 2, Israeli forces took control of the al-Mantara dam, the largest in southern Syria. They had already occupied several other dams, including Unity, Raqad and al-Bakar al-Gharbi in the Yarmouk basin.
Surveillance of Druze villages and imposition of military laws
According to local sources, Israeli patrols carry out daily incursions into the Druze villages of Aarna and Rimat, located southwest of Damascus. These actions aim to control the region's water sources. Separately, Israel established 11 checkpoints in Quneitra and Deraa governorates, imposing strict restrictions on residents, particularly farmers.
In some cases, incidents with local Syrian forces have been reported. In Quneitra, an Israeli patrol reportedly ordered Syrian soldiers to get out of their vehicle, pushing them to the ground to check their identity. This action is part of a desire to limit any Palestinian presence or presence affiliated with the al-Nusra Front in the region.
A chaotic security situation
Southern Syria remains marked by chronic instability. 10 casualties fell during Israeli strikes, while others died in local clashes. During the night from Wednesday to Thursday, three Syrians were killed in the south of Deraa, after clashes with Jordanian border guards who prevented them from crossing into northern Jordan.
