At least four civilians were killed and several others injured in Israeli airstrikes that targeted Syria’s southern governorate of Daraa on Monday, March 17, according to Syria’s civil defense agency.
The airstrikes reportedly targeted military outposts belonging to the former Syrian army including Regiment 175 in Izra’, and Brigade 132 in Daraa City.
On Tuesday, March 18, Israel launched other airstrikes on military sites, previously belonging to the former Syrian forces but now used by the HTS-led interim government forces, in Syria’s central governorate of Homs.
Tuesday night also saw Israel’s biggest ever incursion into the Syrian territories since it declared an indefinite de facto occupation of the southern areas of Syria after the fall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) carried out the large-scale incursion into the village of Al-Adnaniyah in the rural parts of Syria’s southern governorate of Quneitra with about 50 vehicles.
Speaking to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed media outlet, a Syrian citizen and activist said that the incursion is not random and that by carrying it out, Israel “aims to displace residents by creating a hostile military environment, which is part of a systematic policy of demographic cleansing.”
Syria and Arab countries condemned the aggression
The Syrian interim government along with a number of Arab countries denounced the Israeli aggression as a flagrant violation of the Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity, which undermines the country’s and the region’s stability and security.
Syria
Syria’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Tuesday, condemning the assault and describing it as “part of an Israeli campaign against the Syrian people and the stability of the country.”
“These deliberate attacks, launched without reason, reveal Israel’s total disregard for international law and norms,” the statement reads, adding that they “represent a direct threat to regional and international security.”
Jordan
Meanwhile, Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates stressed that Israelis attacks “constitute a flagrant violation of international law, a blatant violation of Syria’s sovereignty and unity, and a dangerous escalation in the region”.
Jordan also called on the international community to “uphold its legal and moral responsibilities by pressuring Israel to stop its illegal provocations and occupation of Syrian territory.”
Egypt
For its part, Egypt slammed the Israeli raids and incursions considering them “part of Israel’s fait accompli policy” and that they “reflect Israel’s insistence on continuing to ignite tension in the region”.
Egypt further urged international actors and the United Nations Security Council to “shoulder their responsibility in the face of the repeated Israeli violations”, and to “put an end to the irresponsible Israeli policies”.
The Arab country further emphasized that Israel should “end its occupation of the Syrian lands and abide by international law.”
Qatar
In addition, Qatar considered the Israeli airstrikes on Daraa as “a blatant violation of Syria’s sovereignty, unity, and international law.” It also urged “the international community to take immediate action to hold Israel accountable, ensure compliance with international laws, and put an end to its repeated attacks on Syrian territory to prevent further escalation in the region.”
Israel continues to wreak havoc in the region with total disregard of international law
Israel has tampered with the security and stability of the West Asia region for over a year and a half with total disregard of international law, while being provided with unlimited support of subsequent US administrations.
Guaranteeing its impunity, Israel continues in its war of attrition against Hezbollah in Lebanon, and systematic destruction of Syria’s military assets and capabilities while renewing its genocide in Gaza. All of these fronts have been ignited by Israel, while the United States has declared an all-out war on Yemen to protect its ally, dragging the region to a dark tunnel.
