Link: https://www.rt.com/news/614103-israel-indefinite-military-presence-syria/
According to Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, “The IDF is prepared to stay in Syria for an unlimited amount of time. We will hold the security area in Hermon and make sure that all the security zone in southern Syria is demilitarized and clear of weapons and threats.” According to the Times of Israel, the IDF has established nine military bases on territories they had occupied since December, including two on Mount Hermon. The Israeli military reportedly regards a 15 kilometer-deep zone from the Golan Heights, which it already illegally occupies, into southern Syria as a legitimate area of operations. The IDF “attacked more than 40 targets in southern Syria to implement the policy we announced” on Wednesday night, Katz claimed.
This is important because it shows how Israel’s diplomatic relationship with the new government in Syria is already starting off poorly. Israel views Syria as unstable and feels the need to put its military in the Golan Heights in order to preserve their security. This also shows how Israel is taking advantage of the instability in Syria in order to take lands in the Golan Heights region.
This relates to what we learned in class because of how Israel is making a preemptive strike on Syria’s Golan Heights region because of a perceived threat they see in the instability Syria has due to the change in government. It is a mid range security threat and I believe that it will not affect many surrounding countries. One country that may end up involved is Turkiye. Turkey has a major invested interest in Syria and is against the institution of a Kurdish state. Before the new Syrian government was fully formed Israel had bombing campaigns on the Kurdish army in the east, also because of a perceived threat of them getting weapons. Turkiye and Israel may end up with aligned goals of interference in regards to Syria.