IDF targets Syrian chemical weapons factory, tanks roll out at the border
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IDF targets Syrian chemical weapons factory, tanks roll out at the border

Posted on by Amelia Pressman

The IDF has attacked a chemical weapons factory run by former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime to prevent rebels from occupying it, Arab media first reported on Sunday The Jerusalem Post later independently confirmed.

Israel’s position has always been to avoid conflict with Syria if possible, but not to allow dangerous developments in advanced weapons, and it has carried out thousands of airstrikes in Syria for over a decade – mostly with only a small number of concrete strikes since Start of the Syrian Civil War.

For example, it would be contrary to Israeli interests if chemical weapons fell into the hands of unpredictable actors, such as some of the more jihadist rebel groups.

These attacks increased in recent months after the IDF beheaded much of Hezbollah’s leadership and began eliminating key Hezbollah and Iranian interests in Syria as well.

In addition, the IDF confirmed that it had slightly advanced into Syria to position troops in a demilitarized buffer zone along the border with Syria and at several other key defense points.

People gather in the city center and celebrate the anti-regime armed groups opposing the Bashar al-Assad regime as it takes control of the city center in Hama, Syria, December 5, 2024. (Source: Ammar Hatib/Anadolu via Getty Images)

The military also said it would not interfere in internal events in Syria. , provided that no forces in Syria threaten Israeli security interests.

Speaking to Channel 12 on Saturday, opposition sources expressed their desire for peace in the region.

On Saturday, the IDF chief of staff, Lt. Gen., said. Herzi Halevi said during a visit to the Syrian border that the IDF is “monitoring to ensure that local elements do not move in our direction” and is making a “very strong offensive and defensive response” should the need arise.

The military had previously indicated that based on a situation assessment, the IDF had decided to reinforce its troops for defensive purposes throughout the Golan Heights region on the border with Syria.

“The strengthening of the armed forces will allow strengthening defenses in the region and preparing the armed forces for various scenarios in the sector,” the IDF statement said.

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Assad’s regime falls

In the early hours of Sunday, the Syrian military command informed officials of the end of the Assad regime and the Syrian rebels announced the liberation of Damascus.

Reuters and Maya Gur Arieh contributed to this report.



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