Israeli forces carry out new incursion in Syria’s Quneitra countryside
3 Min Read
Israeli occupation forces have carried out a new incursion into Syria’s Quneitra countryside, deploying tanks and vehicles near the Al-Salam Highway.
-
Israeli occupation forces' armored vehicles block a road leading to the town of Quneitra, Syria, on January 5, 2025 (AP)
Local sources in Quneitra reported on Saturday that an Israeli occupation military unit carried out a ground incursion into the village of al-Samdaniyah al-Sharqiyah in the province’s countryside earlier in the morning.
The Israeli force comprised two tanks, seven military vehicles, and a bulldozer, advancing along the road leading to the al-Saqari checkpoint between the towns of Jaba and Khan Arnabeh before moving toward the road connecting to the al-Salam Highway.
The incursion came just one day after Israeli occupation forces installed an iron gate inside al-Samdaniyah al-Gharbiya village, effectively creating a permanent checkpoint within the area. Residents expressed outrage, condemning the move as yet another violation of Syrian sovereignty.
These developments come amid continued Israeli violations along the border strip in southern Syria.
Earlier, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that Israeli occupation forces fired several artillery shells from their base in western Tal al-Ahmar, near the town of Kodneh, toward wooded areas in eastern Tal al-Ahmar in central Quneitra.
Expanded incursions in Quneitra
Israeli occupation forces carried out simultaneous incursions into southern Syria’s Quneitra countryside, violating Syrian sovereignty and the separation of forces arrangements in the demilitarized zone, the SOHR reported on October 28.
According to the SOHR, one Israeli force advanced into a barracks belonging to an artillery company of the 90th Brigade in the village of al‑Kum, Quneitra countryside. Within the facility, Israeli troops conducted search operations before withdrawing toward the al-Salam Highway.
During the operation, occupation forces also deployed a mobile checkpoint along the al-Kum–Khan Arnabah road, stopping and searching civilians. No detentions of Syrian civilians were made at the time.
More violations
Another Israeli force, comprised of four tanks and several transport vehicles, moved out of the al‑Hamidiya base toward the village of Ofaniya in the northern Quneitra countryside, coinciding with unmanned aerial‐vehicle activity in the area.
Additionally, the occupation's military personnel operated near the western town of al‑Samdaniyah al‑Gharbiyah, advancing from the destroyed city of Quneitra, inside the demilitarized zone. This patrol utilized two tanks and three military vehicles, traversing agricultural land before returning to their positions.
These events build on a sequence of Israeli operations and attacks in southern Syria, especially the Quneitra region, which include drone flights, tank incursions, bulldozing operations within the separation zone, and ad-hoc checkpoints.
It is worth noting that transitional authorities in Damascus held extensive talks with Israeli officials in an attempt to reach a security agreement. Tel Aviv continues to demand the demilitarization of the entire Syrian south, citing alleged security concerns, though current authorities have yet to respond militarily to dozens of strikes, including ones that targeted the Syrian General Staff Command and Defense Ministry buildings twice, as well as the presidential palace.
Read more: Israeli media: Syria, 'Israel' moving toward security deal
