Israeli violations persist in southern Syria: Demolitions, checkpoints
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Israeli occupation forces escalate their military activity in southern Syria, destroying homes and raiding villages across Quneitra and Daraa.
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Israeli soldiers stand on armoured vehicles after crossing the security fence near the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria, in the town of Majdal Shams, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024 (AP)
"Israel" continues its violations of Syria across the southern provinces of Quneitra and Daraa, raiding and demolishing houses while setting up checkpoints across the area.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Israeli troops destroyed two homes in the village of al-Qahtaniyah in rural Quneitra on Tuesday, claiming they were too close to Israeli military positions.
"Israel" began establishing these military sites nearly two years ago in the area stretching from the village of Umm al-Azam through al-Qahtaniyah and the town of al-Hamidiyah, all the way to the slopes of Mount Hermon.
The area has seen frequent Israeli military activity, including surveillance and drills, while imposing increasing restrictions on residents, particularly on construction and movement near the newly established outposts.
IOF raid homes in western Daraa
In a related development, Israeli forces carried out a late-night raid on Monday into Tuesday in the village of Ma'ariya, located in the Yarmouk Basin area of western Daraa countryside, searching approximately 10 civilian homes.
According to local sources, Israeli forces forcibly removed doors from several homes whose residents were absent during the raid, while blocking the main road leading to the village for the entire duration of the operation.
Just two days earlier, an Israeli military force advanced toward the road connecting the villages of Rasm al-Karm and al-Halabi in the central Quneitra countryside, where four Israeli military vehicles entered the area, with one heading into Rasm al-Karm while the others stationed themselves in the surrounding vicinity, stopping several civilian vehicles for inspection, according to the Syrian observatory.
The observatory also reported that three Israeli military vehicles advanced toward the junction near the village of al-Hurriyah in northern Quneitra countryside.
Israeli forces stationed at a military post in the town of Jbatha al-Khashab in northern Quneitra countryside also opened machine gun fire on civilian homes near the nature reserve, sparking panic among residents. No casualties were reported, according to the observatory.
Southern Syria has experienced continued Israeli military operations since late last year, including repeated incursions into Syrian territory, home demolitions, and the burning of wooded areas. Israeli forces have also established new military outposts in the region, which they use to fire on positions near civilian areas, creating an atmosphere of intimidation among locals.
