Israeli forces seize weapons in southern Syria raids

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.

By Ehud Amiton, TPS

Israeli troops operating in southern Syria overnight confiscated weapons from suspected traffickers during a coordinated raid on four targets in the Hader area, the Israel Defense Forces said Sunday. Several suspects were questioned on-site.

The “forces are deployed in the area to act and prevent terrorist elements from establishing themselves in Syria, in order to protect the residents of the State of Israel,” the IDF said.

More than 1,100 people were killed in ethnic clashes between the Syrian Druze and Sunni Bedouins. 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.

On Thursday, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack said Israeli security operations in Syria “are not helpful.”

“In my opinion, Israel is not aggressive,” but the military operations in sourthern Syria are “not helpful,” adding, “We do not have a common understanding” with Israel.

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.