Israel Faces Numerous Uncertainties Due to Syria’s Instability
The IDF has taken action to secure Israel’s demilitarized zone with Syria, carrying out over 300 airstrikes to eliminate Damascus’s weapons and bases.
Given the rapid developments in Syria, Israeli strategists are refraining from making predictions due to numerous uncertainties.
Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have deployed troops to Israel’s border areas with Syria and conducted numerous airstrikes to destroy weapons left behind by the Syrian army, including chemical ordnance.
Strategists acknowledge that the swift collapse of the Syrian army caught many, including the HTS rebel group, off guard, as their initial goal was to expand the enclave around Idlib without reaching Damascus.
As events unfold, uncertainties abound in a complex mix of religious, ethnic, national, and imperial rivalries surrounding Syria, which has been embroiled in civil war for over a decade.
President Bashar Assad’s control over much of Syria, albeit tenuous in some areas, has diminished significantly in recent weeks.
Various factions, including Kurdish rebels, HTS, and the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army, have asserted control over different regions, revealing the fragmented state of the country.
The United States maintains small detachments in strategic locations, closely monitoring the evolving situation in Syria.
Despite the fluid dynamics, the IDF’s presence in the demilitarized zone is aimed at preventing rebel groups from establishing bases near Israel’s border.
With ongoing military operations, Israel is focused on limiting Syria’s war-making capacity, particularly targeting weapons of mass destruction such as chemical and biological arms to prevent their potential misuse by hostile groups.
Concerns about the evolving situation, including the actions of HTS leader Abu Mohammed Al-Golani and the intentions of key foreign powers in the region, add layers of complexity to an already volatile landscape.
As the region navigates through uncertainty, the IDF’s strategic decisions are driven by the objective of safeguarding Israel’s borders and ensuring stability in the neighboring region.
