Despite Israel’s denial, war monitor says IDF warplanes pound Syria deep into the country

Israeli warplanes struck targets deep within Syria as ground troops reportedly advanced further into the country, a Syrian opposition war monitor said Tuesday (December 10).

Israel confirmed its military had entered a buffer zone inside Syria, established after the 1973 Mideast war, following the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar Assad.

However, the Israeli military denied advancing toward the Syrian capital, Damascus.

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said it carried out more than 350 strikes across Syria over the past 48 hours, targeting what it described as “strategic weapons stockpiles” to prevent them from falling into extremist hands.

These strikes reportedly hit air defence systems, missile depots, military airfields, and weapons production facilities, including sites in Damascus. Explosions were heard across the capital overnight and into Tuesday morning.

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Simultaneously, Israeli naval forces launched missile strikes on Syrian navy facilities. According to private security firm Ambrey, at least six Soviet-era missile ships were destroyed in the attack.

Israel denies advancement toward Damascus

Despite reports of Israeli troops nearing Damascus, Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, an Israeli military spokesperson, dismissed the claims as “false.”

He reiterated that Israeli forces were operating solely within the buffer zone to safeguard Israel’s security. The IDF had earlier stated that troops would be deployed “where necessary” for defence purposes.

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, confirming the airstrikes, said the operations aimed to dismantle military capabilities left behind by Assad’s government.

Netanyahu also expressed a willingness to establish relations with Syria’s new leadership, though he did not elaborate.

Regional condemnation follows Israeli incursion

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Israeli troops were advancing along the Syrian-Lebanese border, coming within 25 kilometers (15 miles) of Damascus. Mayadeen TV, based in Beirut, corroborated the Observatory’s claims, though Israel refuted the reports.

Israel’s actions drew swift condemnation from regional powers. Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia accused Israel of exploiting Syria’s instability and violating international law. Turkey, a key supporter of Syrian opposition forces, denounced the incursion, calling it evidence of an “occupier’s mentality.”

The United Nations also criticised the move. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric described Israel’s actions as a violation of the 1974 disengagement agreement and urged both sides to adhere to its terms.

With inputs from AP