Israel launched extensive airstrikes on Syrian army bases Tuesday, targeting military assets it claims could fall into hostile hands. However, Israeli officials denied reports that its forces had advanced beyond the demilitarized zone along the Syrian border.
The strikes come as Syria transitions to a new era following the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday. In Damascus, a sense of normalcy began to return with banks reopening for the first time since Assad’s fall, shops resuming business, and construction crews repairing damage in the city center.
Israel Strikes Syrian Military Targets
Israeli officials maintained that their actions are solely defensive. “The reports circulating about Israeli tanks advancing toward Damascus are false,” said an Israeli Defense Forces spokesperson. “Our troops remain within the demilitarized zone as stated.”
Despite the denials, multiple security sources reported Israeli forces advancing beyond the buffer zone established after the 1973 war, with some claiming they reached Qatana, just miles from Damascus airport.
Regional security sources described the overnight airstrikes as the heaviest yet, targeting military installations, airbases, and Republican Guard assets across Syria. More than 200 strikes reportedly destroyed helicopters, jets, and critical infrastructure tied to Assad’s forces.
Israel insists its objective is to prevent advanced military equipment from falling into hostile hands amid Syria’s volatile transition. While Israel has stated it seeks no conflict with Syria’s new authorities, the strikes have drawn sharp condemnation from countries including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt.
Saudi Arabia warned that Israeli incursions could “jeopardize Syria’s chances of restoring security.”
Damascus Transitions to New Leadership
Amid the escalating tensions, Damascus remains focused on its political transition. Assad’s prime minister, Mohammed Jalali, agreed to transfer power to the Salvation Government, previously an administration operating in rebel-held territory in northwest Syria.
Ahmed al-Sharaa, widely known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, heads the Salvation Government. Once linked to al Qaeda, Golani’s group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has sought to distance itself from its extremist roots.
In a meeting Monday with Jalali and Vice President Faisal Mekdad, Golani discussed the formation of a transitional government. “The handover may take days to complete,” Jalali said.
Despite HTS’s past designation as a terrorist organization by the United Nations, the U.S., and others, the U.N. envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, emphasized the need for inclusivity in the new administration. “HTS and other groups are sending messages of unity and inclusiveness to Syrians,” Pedersen said in Geneva.
Steps Toward Recovery
As the dust settles in Damascus, residents are cautiously optimistic. The reopening of banks on Tuesday marked a significant step toward restoring everyday life. Employees returned to work at the Central Bank of Syria, while street cleaners, shopkeepers, and construction crews resumed activities.
“It feels like a new beginning,” said Sumayra al-Mukli, a bank worker. “It’s a new day, a new year, a new life.”
The path to rebuilding Syria remains fraught with challenges. Over a decade of civil war has devastated cities, displaced millions, and left the economy in ruins. International sanctions and the sheer scale of destruction mean recovery will be slow and arduous.
Still, for Syrians stepping into the post-Assad era, there is a renewed sense of hope despite lingering uncertainty.
