After a rapid and coordinated offensive by Syrian rebels this past week, the Assad regime has fallen, with the rebels gaining a foothold in the capital, Damascus. In response, the IDF swiftly secured key positions near the Syrian border, targeted Syria’s chemical weapons facilities, and took control of the Syrian side of Mount Hermon to ensure Israel’s safety.
By Anash.org Reporter
In a surprising turn of events, the Assad regime in Syria has fallen after over 50 years of rule by the Assad family, with President Bashar al-Assad reportedly fleeing Damascus as rebel forces seized the capital.
The Assad regime, infamous for its repressive rule and brutal use of chemical weapons, crumbled under the pressure of rapid rebel advances led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). These advances were unprecedented, capturing major cities such as Aleppo, Hama, and Homs with little resistance.
With Russia diverting its resources to the war in Ukraine and Iran focused on arming its Hezbollah proxies, the Assad regime was left increasingly vulnerable. Combined with a wave of defections from Assad’s forces, these factors allowed the rebels to make rapid advances, accelerating the regime’s collapse.
Assad’s whereabouts remain unknown, with reports suggesting he may have perished in a plane crash. Flightradar data shows a Syrian aircraft departing Damascus as rebels seized the capital, heading toward Assad’s Alawite stronghold before abruptly reversing course and vanishing from radar, with unconfirmed reports of explosions in the vicinity. Latest reports (1:41 pm EST) say that Assad has fled with his family and are now in Russia.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described this moment as a “historic day for the Middle East,” attributing the fall of the regime to years of Israeli efforts to counter Iran and Hezbollah, Assad’s key allies. Speaking from Mount Bental near the Syrian border, Netanyahu remarked:
“The collapse of the Assad regime, the tyranny in Damascus, offers great opportunity but also is fraught with significant dangers. This collapse is the direct result of our forceful action against Hezbollah and Iran, Assad’s main supporters. It set off a chain reaction of all those who want to free themselves from this tyranny and its oppression.”
The collapse of the Assad regime has significant implications for Israel, particularly regarding security along its northern border with Syria. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have acted decisively, deploying troops, tanks, and artillery to secure the Golan Heights and other strategic areas. In a bold move, the IDF has also taken control of the Syrian side of Mount Hermon, with the elite Shaldag Unit reportedly meeting no resistance in the operation.
The IDF emphasized the importance of maintaining stability in the buffer zone along the Golan Heights. In a statement shared on social media, the IDF declared:
“In accordance with the situational assessment following the recent events in Syria, including the entry of armed personnel into the buffer zone, the IDF has deployed forces in the buffer zone and in several other places necessary for its defense, to ensure the safety of the communities of the Golan Heights and the citizens of Israel.”
“We emphasize that the IDF is not interfering with the internal events in Syria. The IDF will continue to operate as long as necessary in order to preserve the buffer zone and defend Israel and its civilians.”
Netanyahu, accompanied by Defense Minister Israel Katz and other senior officials, visited the region to assess the situation. He stated that the IDF’s actions were temporary but necessary to prevent hostile forces from gaining a foothold near Israel’s borders. The Prime Minister highlighted:
“Last night, [the 1974 Separation of Forces Agreement] collapsed. The Syrian army abandoned its positions. We gave the Israeli army the order to take over these positions to ensure that no hostile force embeds itself right next to the border of Israel. This is a temporary defensive position until a suitable arrangement is found.”
The fall of the Assad regime presents both challenges and opportunities for Israel. The departure of Assad disrupts Iran’s land route to Hezbollah in Lebanon, weakening one of Israel’s most formidable enemies. This strategic development aligns with Israel’s long-standing efforts to counter Iranian influence in the region. However, the power vacuum in Syria raises concerns about the rise of extremist groups such as HTS, which could pose new threats to Israel.
Netanyahu extended a hand of peace to Syria’s mixed communities, including Druze, Kurds, Christians, and Muslims, emphasizing Israel’s preference for stability and peaceful relations. However, he stressed:
“If we can establish neighborly relations and peaceful relations with the new forces emerging in Syria, that’s our desire. But if we do not, we will do whatever it takes to defend the State of Israel and the border of Israel.”
The IDF’s actions reflect a broader strategy to maintain Israel’s security amidst regional instability:
The IDF has fortified positions in the Golan Heights, deploying additional infantry, armored units, and artillery. Defensive measures include closing certain areas near the Syrian border to prevent infiltration.
The Israeli Air Force has conducted targeted strikes on weapons facilities and chemical stockpiles in Syria to prevent them from falling into the hands of extremist factions. The IDF emphasized its readiness to strike any entity threatening Israel, whether from Syria or beyond. Brigadier General Yair Peli of the 210th Division highlighted that the IDF’s presence in these positions is aimed at ensuring both immediate and long-term security for Israeli communities.
VIDEO:
IDF destroys advanced Syrian weapons to prevent them from coming into the hands of the rebels.
Assad statues being toppled across Syria
Syrians take over and loot the presidential palace of former President Bashar al-Assad
More footage of heavy airstrikes
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the Mount Bental area in the Golan Heights
Thank You, Hashem for the additional gift of land that You have given to the Yidden in Eretz Yisroel!