Israeli Army Advances into Southern Syrian Town of Abdin and Shells Areas in Daraa

According to the resident, the Israeli soldiers only withdrew late in the evening. After that, the town was attacked. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Israel had shelled the area with artillery and machine guns after the confrontation. Several families then fled in panic. In the meantime, the situation has calmed down again, according to the resident.

Residents blocked roads and threw stones at the Israeli troops, according to the resident and a neighbor. The Israeli army initially declined to comment on the incidents in Abdin on Sunday evening. The Israeli military announced on Sunday that it had killed "several armed terrorists" in southern Syria the day before.

Israel's Justification and Security Concerns

The Israeli army stated that it would continue to maintain a presence in the area to eliminate any threat to Israeli civilians and Israeli soldiers. According to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the army is to prevent possible attacks on Israeli territory in the region and protect the Druze religious minority, who are considered allies of Israel.

Israel had already declared the bilateral disengagement agreement between Syria and Israel from 1974 null and void after the fall of Syria's long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad at the end of 2024. Since then, the Israeli army has significantly expanded its operations in southern Syria and, according to its own statements, has bombed hundreds of targets in the neighboring country.

Background: Golan Heights and Syrian-Israeli Relations

Israel is concerned that groups allied with Iran could gain strength in the strategically important area near the Golan Heights. The Syrian news agency SANA reports that the area around Daraa is "constantly the target of attacks" by Israel, including with artillery, mortars and machine guns. The Israeli operations have restricted residents' freedom of movement and their agricultural work.

The Golan Heights, which belong to Syria under international law, were occupied by Israel in the Six-Day War in 1967. In 1981, Israel annexed the area. Syria regards the Israeli measures as illegal occupation of its territory under international law.

SANA reported that the Israeli army had set up checkpoints in Daraa, searched houses and questioned residents. On Saturday, according to the Israeli military, "several armed terrorists" were killed in southern Syria. On Sunday, the army initially took no position on the incidents in Abdin.

Expansion of Operations Since Assad's Fall

The Israeli government justifies its continued operations with security interests and the protection of the Druze population in the region. The Syrian government and observers, on the other hand, accuse Israel of violations of international law and a continuing occupation of Syrian territory.

Since Assad's fall, Israeli operations in southern Syria have increased significantly. According to SANA and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, there have been bombings and ground operations in several locations in the province of Daraa. The humanitarian situation of the population in the affected areas remains tense, while international observers continue to monitor the situation.