Israel’s actions this week have made it clear that southern Syria is now in the spotlight, with unclear consequences for its security. Israeli airstrikes on Wednesday targeted military command centers and sites containing weapons in southern Syria, following comments from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Eli Cohen.
Netanyahu stated that southern Syria should be demilitarized and emphasized the need to protect Israel’s citizens from potential threats. Cohen condemned Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) as a “Jihadist Islamist terror group,” which has taken control of Damascus, and expressed concern about its influence in the region.
The Israeli strikes have sparked anger in Syria, with President Bashar al-Assad visiting Jordan on February 26 to condemn Israel’s actions. Turkey also condemned Israel’s comments on Syria, potentially uniting countries against Israel. The situation is complicated by the fact that HTS was previously seen as a minor threat by Israel, but has now become a more pressing concern.
While there may be opportunities for better ties with Syria in the future, the current policy in Jerusalem appears to have closed that window. The airstrikes and comments from Israeli leaders have raised concerns about potential instability in southern Syria, which could have far-reaching consequences for regional security.
Source: https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-843847