Media reports Israel initiating ‘one of the largest’ offensives on Syria ever

(MENAFN) Israel has launched one of its largest military operations in Syria, reportedly targeting over 250 military sites in an extensive airstrike campaign. The assault, described by Israeli sources as one of the largest in the history of the Israeli Air Force, targeted Syrian military bases, airfields, missile systems, and weapon production sites. Among the reported targets were key military facilities at Qamishli, Shinshar, and Aqaba airports, as well as a research center and defense factories in southern Aleppo.

The attack comes in the wake of the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, following a surprise offensive led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) jihadist group. Israeli tanks also reportedly advanced from the buffer zone near the Golan Heights towards Damascus, although the Israeli military has denied these claims, stating that its forces remain within the buffer zone.

While Israeli officials insist the military action is a "temporary" measure to ensure security, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s intention to permanently control the Golan Heights, which it has occupied since the 1967 Six-Day War. This move has sparked significant criticism from neighboring countries, with some accusing Israel of exacerbating instability in Syria.

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