Why is Israel's military presence growing in Syria?
The recent Israeli attack on a Syrian airbase is just one of many Israeli incursions into Syria. In southern Syria, locals say Israeli troops have detained them, destroyed infrastructure and set up military bases.
Israel's military presence in Syria has been growing since the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024. Syrian farmer Ahmad Hassan al-Din lost his son, Saddam, when Israeli soldiers took him from their farmland near the Golan Heights in April 2024. Al-Din claims the soldiers said Saddam was trespassing on Israeli territory, despite the area being under a UN buffer zone.
The Israeli military has set up 10 bases in the region, leading to near-daily incursions into Syrian provinces of Daraa and Quneitra. These incursions involve armored patrols, temporary checkpoints, and searches of Syrian civilians, their homes, and farmland. Israeli soldiers have also raided homes, businesses, and schools, and destroyed water wells and horticultural areas.
Since December 2024, around 200 Syrians have been detained by Israel, with most released within 24 hours. Around 200 people remain in Israeli custody, including four or five detained before the government change. Human rights organizations have called Israel's actions possible war crimes. Israeli politicians argue the area must remain demilitarized, but tensions remain high.
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