DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Israel launched a wave of heavy airstrikes across Syria as its forces pushed deeper into the country and within 25 kilometers (15 miles) of the capital, a Syrian opposition war monitor said Tuesday. Israel denied that its troops were advancing towards Damascus.
Associated Press reporters in Damascus heard heavy airstrikes on the city and its suburbs last night and Tuesday. Photos circulating online show destroyed rocket launchers, helicopters and fighter planes.
There was no immediate comment from the rebel groups – led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS – that have taken control of Damascus.
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Israel had previously seized a buffer zone of about 400 square kilometers inside Syria that was established after the 1973 Middle East war, a measure it said was taken to prevent attacks in the wake of President Bashar's overthrow. prevent. Assad.
Israel has also said it is attacking suspected chemical weapons sites and heavy weapons to prevent them from falling into the hands of extremists. Israeli officials rarely acknowledge individual attacks.
Israel has a long history of seizing territory during wars with its neighbors and occupying it indefinitely, citing security concerns. Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria during the 1967 Middle East war, annexing them in a manner unrecognized internationally except by the United States.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which has closely monitored the conflict since the civil war broke out almost 14 years ago, said Israel has carried out more than 300 airstrikes across the country since rebels overthrew Assad last weekend. century rule.
The Observatory and Beirut-based Mayadeen TV, which has reporters in Syria, said Israeli forces were advancing along the Syrian side of the border with Lebanon. It was not possible to independently confirm the reports.
Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, an Israeli military spokesman, said that “the reports circulating in the media about the alleged advance of Israeli tanks towards Damascus are false.” He said Israeli troops are stationed in the buffer zone to protect Israel.
The Israeli military had previously said troops would enter the buffer zone “and several other places necessary for its defense.”
Israeli media meanwhile reported that the air force was methodically destroying Syria's military assets to ensure that whoever rules the country next would have to rebuild them.
The operations “have systematically destroyed all that remains of the escaped tyrant's army,” wrote Yossi Yehoshua, the military correspondent for Israel's largest daily, Yediot Ahronot.
“Dozens and dozens of targets, including weapons depots of various kinds, have been hit in waves of attacks to prevent them from falling into enemy hands and posing a threat to Israel.” The Air Force “currently enjoys complete freedom of action. ”, he added.
Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia condemned Israel's invasion, accusing it of exploiting the disorder in Syria and violating international law.
Turkey, which has been a key backer of the Syrian opposition to Assad, also condemned Israel's advance. The Turkish Foreign Ministry accused Israel of “exhibiting an occupier mentality” at a time when the possibility of peace and stability in Syria had emerged.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Monday that Israel's incursion violates the 1974 withdrawal agreement and called on both Israel and Syria to enforce it.
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Mroue reported from Beirut and Lidman from Tel Aviv, Israel. Associated Press writer Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey, contributed to this report.
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Follow AP's Syria coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/syria
