Israeli forces have launched multiple raids into southwest Syria over the past 48 hours, with operations centering heavily around the southern part of Quneitra Governorate and the Yarmouk River Basin in westernmost Daraa.
Today, forces were reported entering the area of Zubaydah village in Quneitra, and a military bulldozer backed by troops were clearing a road in the river basin area. Troops reportedly “ambushed” and captured a number of civilians in the course of the operation, though how many were captured and their fate remains unknown.
Other IDF troops entered al-Rafid village and searched a number of civilian homes. Artillery shells were fired at farmland near al-Hamadiyah, where the IDF also set up a temporary military checkpoint, though it was ultimately abandoned.
Israeli troops overlooking southwest Syrian territory | Image from SOHR
Two incursions were also reported the day before around Qudna, where troops established another checkpoint and inspected a number of passersby, though no detentions were reported in this case.
Drone overflights were also reported in Quneitra Governorate, and IDF troops also entered the village of Saida al-Golan, which is near the Israeli occupied Golan Heights. Details of what the troops were doing in that village were unclear.
Israel invaded Syria in December of 2024, following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad. They occupied the demilitarized zone between Syria and the occupied Golan Heights, and have been operating ever-deeper into Quneitra and Daraa governorate.
Though it has been much less publicized than his intentions with Lebanon and Gaza, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz also ordered troops to prepare for a prolonged deployment in occupied Syrian territory.
