Israeli Airstrikes Hit Syrian Military Targets Amid Assad Regime Collapse

Israeli warplanes have carried out multiple airstrikes across Syria, targeting military sites, including a research facility suspected of chemical weapons production, according to Syrian media and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). Over 100 attacks have been reported in the past two days, with some strikes focused on a Damascus site allegedly used by Iranian scientists for rocket development. Israel has stated these actions aim to prevent weapons from falling into the hands of extremists, especially after the downfall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

The United Nations Security Council convened to discuss the situation following Assad’s ouster, agreeing to work on a statement to preserve Syria’s territorial integrity, protect civilians, and ensure humanitarian aid access. Meanwhile, the OPCW has raised concerns over the security of Syria’s chemical weapons stockpiles, despite past efforts to destroy chemical weapons under international oversight. Israel’s military has also reported troop movements into the demilitarized zone of the Golan Heights, a region seized by Israel from Syria in 1967, following the collapse of the Assad regime. Israel has justified these actions as temporary and defensive.

On the ground, the Islamist opposition group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) declared Damascus “free” after capturing the capital. HTS leaders vowed to expose officials involved in war crimes under the Assad regime. The collapse of Assad’s rule has raised questions about Syria’s future, with Israel signaling interest in peaceful relations with any new Syrian leadership but stressing its readiness to defend its borders.

These developments come amid heightened tensions in the region, as Israel continues to target sites linked to Iran and Hezbollah in Syria, following increased cross-border attacks from groups based in Lebanon and Syria.