Israeli forces detain weapons dealer in southern Syria

The army confirmed ongoing deployments in the area to disrupt terrorist activity and prevent hostile elements from gaining a foothold.

By Ehud Amiton/TPS

Israeli soldiers conducted a nighttime operation in southern Syria, arresting a weapons dealer in the Taranja area, near Quneitra, the Israel Defense Forces said on Monday.

Acting on intelligence and preliminary surveillance, the dealer was apprehended and interrogated, with weapons confiscated at the site. The army confirmed ongoing deployments in the area to disrupt terrorist activity and prevent hostile elements from gaining a foothold.

More than 1,100 people were killed in ethnic clashes between the Syrian Druze and Sunni Bedouins in July. Government forces loyal to interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa sided with the Bedouins. An estimated 100,000 were displaced by the violence. Israel launched airstrikes on Syrian forces and threatened escalation before a fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire took hold. But there have been violations.

Al-Sharaa is backed by Turkey.

Around 40,000 Druze live in the southern Syrian provinces of Quneitra, Da’ara and Sweida under Israeli protection. Netanyahu has called for the demilitarization of southern Syria.

Israel sent forces into the 235 sq km buffer zone to prevent Syrian rebels from approaching the border when the regime of Bashar Assad collapsed in December.

Israel considers the 1974 ceasefire agreement void until order is restored in Syria.