Israel and Syria exchange tensions over border military presence

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani has denounced Israel’s decision to maintain military forces within Syrian territory, labeling the presence as an occupation that invalidates Israel’s security justifications. The complaints specifically target the presence of Israeli forces in the Mount Hermon area and the buffer zone, which Damascus views as a violation of its sovereignty following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad government in December 2024.

In response to regional tensions, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced it has conducted large-scale maneuvers on the Syrian border. These exercises, involving the 210th Bashan Division, were designed to increase operational readiness for “sudden and complex incidents,” including scenarios involving mass casualties and medical evacuations. The IDF stated these drills aim to ensure the security of residents in the Golan Heights and Israeli citizens.

These military developments occur despite recent statements from al-Shaibani expressing Damascus’s willingness to seek a “diplomatic solution” with Israel, even as Israeli forces continue incursions and establish control points in southern Syrian governorates such as Daraa and Quneitra.