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Netanyahu: Collapse of Assad Regime Linked to Israeli Military Actions Against Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented on the recent upheaval in Syria, stating that the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government is a “direct result” of Israel’s ongoing military operations against Iran, alongside its efforts to counteract Hezbollah, the Iranian-aligned group in Lebanon. Netanyahu declared that this moment marks a pivotal shift in the dynamics of the Middle East.

In light of these developments, Netanyahu expressed concerns regarding potential instability along the Israeli-Syrian border, prompting him to direct the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to secure a buffer zone between the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and southern Syria. “Together with Defense Minister, with full backing from the Cabinet, I ordered the IDF yesterday to take control of the buffer zone and the strategic positions around it,” he stated during a visit to the Golan Heights. “We will not allow any hostile force to establish itself on our border.”

This move represents a significant shift, as it marks the first instance of Israeli troops occupying the buffer zone since the 1974 ceasefire agreement that defined control lines between Israel and Syria, although Israel has previously entered this area intermittently. Established as a peacekeeping region, the buffer zone has been monitored by United Nations forces since its inception. Israel had annexed the Golan Heights after capturing it from Syria during the 1967 Six-Day War.

Israeli officials are now closely monitoring the evolving situation in Syria, caught between apprehension and optimism following decades of relative stability under the Assad regime.

Boaz Shapira, a researcher from the Alma Foundation, remarked, “We don’t know much. The experience we had with the Assad regime over the past 50 years has changed drastically.”

Though Assad was hardly a friend to Israel, a degree of understanding had fostered a precarious coexistence. Israel had largely maintained a position of official neutrality during Syria’s brutal civil conflict, occasionally providing medical assistance to those injured in the war while launching strikes against Iranian supply routes and Hezbollah positions in Syria. Notable operations included targeting Iranian commanders, such as the incident in April against forces near the Iranian consulate in Damascus.

The swift takeover of Damascus by rebel forces necessitates a reassessment by Israel concerning its own security landscape. With the fall of the Assad regime, Iran has potentially lost a significant foothold in the region, a development that is likely perceived positively by Israel as it continues to confront Iranian-backed entities, including Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Netanyahu has indicated that the demise of Hezbollah’s leadership is pivotal in shifting the military balance in the area. Mordechai Kedar, a former military intelligence officer, suggested that these developments represent a broader shift, potentially enjoyable by many Middle Eastern nations.

Amos Yadlin, a former chief of Israel’s Military Intelligence Directorate, asserted that the fall of Assad inflicts serious damage on Iran’s regional influence. He noted symbolic acts such as rebels tearing down posters of Iranian military leaders, underscoring the extent of Iran’s diminished role in Syria, which had served as a critical conduit for arms and resources from Iran and Russia to Hezbollah.

However, uncertainty looms with regard to the identities and motives of the rebel factions now in charge, many of whom are linked to radical groups. Notably, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has emerged as a dominant force; previously affiliated with al-Qaeda, the group has a $10 million bounty on its leader, Abu Mohammad al-Jolani.

Despite their militant history, initial assessments suggest that the new leaders in Syria are taking a pragmatic approach. Kedar observed, “They appear rational so far, wanting to avoid chaos.” Al-Jolani has instructed rebel forces to spare government institutions from conflict, reflecting an intention to transition governance without bloodshed.

Yadlin remarked on Al-Jolani’s political acumen in navigating the takeover with minimal conflict. “Currently, the rebels do not pose a direct threat to Israel,” he stated, suggesting that the new leadership should prioritize internal stability over confrontations with Israel.

Despite encouraging signs, caution prevails in Israeli political discourse. Amichai Chikli, Israel’s Minister of Diaspora and Combating Antisemitism, warned about the implications of al-Qaeda affiliates and other extremist groups controlling vast areas of Syria, advocating for Israeli military presence in the buffer zone established since 1974.

Israel’s intent remains focused on securing its border in the Golan Heights, as emphasized by the IDF’s recent deployment efforts, which are framed as necessary for the protection of local communities.

Analysts like Shapira argue against provocation of the new authorities in Damascus, cautioning against territorial expansion that could lead to complications with other factions in the region.

As new dynamics unfold in Syria, the Israeli military maintains its official stance of non-interference in the country’s ongoing conflicts. Meanwhile, top security officials continue to deliberate over Israel’s response strategy as the situation evolves.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid highlighted the importance of collaboration among regional players, particularly Saudi Arabia and nations involved in the Abraham Accords, to address the emerging instability fostered by Iran’s diminishing influence.

Source
www.yahoo.com