On Sunday, Israel launched three airstrikes on the Syrian capital, targeting a security complex and a government research center that was previously used by Iran for missile development, reported Reuters citing two sources in regional security services.
The strikes caused significant damage to the main customs administration and buildings adjacent to the military intelligence offices in the security complex, sources said, noting that the research center was also substantially damaged.
Earlier, the Israeli military carried out at least seven strikes on targets in southwestern Syria, including the Khalkhalah airbase north of the city of Suwayda, where the Syrian army left large stockpiles of missiles, anti-aircraft batteries, and ammunition.
According to The New York Times, citing two Israeli officials, Israeli ground forces openly crossed into Syrian territory for the first time since the October War of 1973, bypassing the demilitarized border zone. Israeli troops took control of the summit of Mount Hermon on the Syrian side of the border, as well as several other locations considered important for stabilizing control over the area.
Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, Chief of the Israeli Military Staff, confirmed on Saturday evening that Israeli troops moved beyond the demilitarized buffer zone on the Golan Heights, stating that Israel had "deployed troops into Syrian territory," although he did not provide details.
Israeli officials expressed concern that chemical weapons and other prohibited munitions and missiles, which Syria had stored for decades, could now fall into the hands of Islamist-led rebels who stormed into Damascus on Sunday. This prompted neighboring states to prepare for increased regional instability caused by its sudden fall and flight.
Photo: Reuters