Israel will complete its extensive bombing campaign against Syrian military assets within the next few days, according to Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar. The strikes began soon after rebel factions seized control of Damascus and have targeted long-range missiles, airplanes, ships, helicopters, drones, radars, and other strategic assets.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has already destroyed over 90% of Syria’s known strategic surface-to-air missiles, with the majority of targets now behind them. The strikes are aimed at preventing military capabilities, including advanced and chemical weapons, from falling into extremist hands.
Other armed groups, including Kurdish fighters and Turkish-backed militants, control parts of Syria. The U.S. has also carried out airstrikes on what it described as “known ISIS camps and operatives” in central Syria.
The rebel factions, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), have said they have no interest in chemical weapons, but the international community remains concerned about the security situation in Syria. The Israeli military presence in the buffer zone between Israel and Syria is temporary and focused on securing borders.
Israel has also damaged the supply of weapons from Syria to Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon. The country plans to double the population living in the Golan Heights, which was condemned by countries like Turkey and Saudi Arabia.
Source: https://www.newsweek.com/israel-syria-airstrikes-bombing-tartus-gideon-saar-2001897