Israeli Official Warns Syrian President Bashar al-Assad

Threats from Israeli Government Minister

Gideon Saar, a member of the Israeli government and war cabinet, issued a warning to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad. Saar cautioned that Assad's regime could be in jeopardy if Syria continues to serve as a channel for the Lebanese resistance movement, Hezbollah. Saar, who recently returned to Benjamin Netanyahu's government, expressed during a conference that Israel had missed an opportunity to topple Assad's government, which was rescued by Iran and Hezbollah.

Israel's Stance on Syria's Involvement with Hezbollah

According to Saar, Syria must not be allowed to serve as a channel for the supply of weapons from Iran to Hezbollah. He emphasized that Israel must communicate to Assad that his regime would be at risk if he continues to jeopardize Israeli security in this manner. Saar stated that Israel would not tolerate Hezbollah's power buildup through Syria or the opening of a front against it from Syrian territory. He suggested that removing Assad from the Iranian axis would significantly impact Israel's security.

Israel's Involvement in the Syrian Conflict

Israel has been actively involved in supporting extremist groups against the Syrian government since the start of the US-led regime change war against Damascus in 2011. In the 2014 battles against Syrian government troops and Hezbollah in Quneitra, Al-Qaeda's Nusra Front fighters received Israeli air cover. Injured Nusra Front fighters were also treated in Israeli hospitals in the occupied Golan Heights.

Israel's Unofficial Campaign Against Syria

For several years, Israel's air force has been conducting an unofficial campaign of indiscriminate attacks against Syria. The objective of these attacks is to prevent the flow of weapons from Iran through Syria to the resistance in Lebanon. However, Lebanese analyst and journalist Khalil Nasrallah suggests that this unofficial campaign, known as the 'battle between wars', has been unsuccessful. Israeli attacks on Syria have escalated since the start of the war in Gaza and Lebanon in October of the previous year.

Israel's Escalation Against Lebanon

Since Israel's significant escalation against Lebanon last month, nearly 2,000 people have been killed and over a million displaced. Israel has started targeting Lebanese–Syrian border crossings, alleging that they are being used to facilitate the delivery of Iranian weapons to Lebanon. Hezbollah, on the other hand, has assured its followers that its military capabilities and weapons are in excellent condition, despite Israeli claims to the contrary. The group has not yet used its more sophisticated and destructive weaponry against Israel.

Bottom Line

This situation presents a complex and potentially dangerous geopolitical landscape. The escalating tensions and threats between Israel and Syria, particularly in relation to Hezbollah, underscore the intricate web of alliances and conflicts in the region. It raises questions about the future stability of the region and the potential for further conflict. What are your thoughts on this situation? Do you think these threats could escalate into a larger conflict? Share this article with your friends and discuss. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, delivered every day at 6pm.