Israeli Chief of Staff tours southern Syria to assess border security

Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir conducted a military tour in southern Syria on Wednesday, accompanied by senior commanders including the head of the Northern Command. During the visit, Zamir assessed operational situations and met with reserve soldiers, stating that Israel will not allow “hostile forces” to station themselves near its borders.

Zamir emphasized that Israel is operating in a multi-front reality and has established a “forward defensive zone” within Syria to act as a buffer for border towns. He noted that the military must remain prepared for potential escalations across various fronts to prevent the development of significant military threats.

The visit follows recent Israeli airstrikes on the Abu al-Duhur military airport in Idlib and shelling in the Daraa countryside. Tensions have risen following Israeli claims that Syrian authorities were violating security understandings by potentially allowing Turkish military presence near Aleppo. Syria has responded by filing complaints with the United Nations and the Security Council, alleging that Israeli incursions and shelling threaten regional stability.