Israel military 'reinforcing' troops in occupied Golan amid Syria conflict
The Israeli military said Friday it was "reinforcing aerial and ground forces" in the occupied Golan Heights in response to sweeping Islamist-led rebel advances in Syria.
In a statement, the military said it was "monitoring developments and is prepared for all scenarios, offensive and defensive alike", adding that it "will not tolerate any threat near the Israeli border".
After 13 years of civil war, Syrian insurgents are gaining ground, first taking cities in the country’s north and on Friday entering cities in central Syria.
It comes as rebel groups mount new challenges to Russia- and Iran-backed Syrian forces, including in Aleppo, the country’s largest city. Since Oct. 7, 2023, Israel has intermittently struck areas in Syria seen as strongholds of Hezbollah.
The advances of the Syrian insurgents adds new instability on Israel’s northern border, two months after it tried to invade neighboring Lebanon. Israel’s defense minister and military chief of staff met to discuss the situation Thursday.
Israeli media reported there is concern in the country’s security establishment that the rebels would advance until they reached the Golan Heights, territory occupied by Israel, gaining control of Syrian weapons stockpiles along the way.
Writing in the Israeli daily Yedioth Ahoronoth Friday, veteran military correspondent Ron Ben-Yishai wrote that Israel may "prefer" to destroy the weapons storehouses so they won’t fall into the hands of the rebels.
Israel seized control of the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war. Syria has constantly accused Israel of launching attacks against it from territory it occupies in the Golan Heights. Israel has frequently struck Syria over the years.
Source: Agence France Presse
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