{"id":2407180,"date":"2025-02-26T18:51:02","date_gmt":"2025-02-26T23:51:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/israel-launches-major-airstrikes-against-syria-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-02-26T18:52:38","modified_gmt":"2025-02-26T23:52:38","slug":"israel-launches-major-airstrikes-against-syria-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/israel-launches-major-airstrikes-against-syria-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Israel launches major airstrikes against Syria &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fisrael-launches-major-airstrikes-against-syria-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2407180&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Israel has launched meaningful \u200bairstrikes against military targets\u2063 in southern syria while announcing a new policy aimed at &#8220;pacifying&#8221; the region. The airstrikes specifically targeted areas\u200b near\u2062 Damascus and Daraa, where military \u2062assets were seen as a threat to Israeli citizens. \u2063The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that they will continue to take action against any threats from Syrian\u2064 forces. <\/p>\n<p>Israeli\u200d Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasized that this new approach is \u200cintended \u200dto prevent southern Syria\u2064 from becoming a stronghold similar to southern Lebanon, \u2062echoing concerns about \u200dsecurity \u2063risks from militant groups. The strikes reportedly resulted in casualties, including both soldiers \u2063and civilians, prompting protests in Syria demanding retaliation against\u200d Israel. <\/p>\n<p>The newly established Syrian government, criticized for its inaction in response to Israeli incursions, faces domestic challenges, preferring \u200cto <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/republicans-more-trusted-than-dems-to-manage-economy-by-record-high-margin-poll\/\" title=\"Poll: Republicans Trusted More Than Democrats to Manage Economy by Record Margin\">prioritize economic issues<\/a>. Israeli \u2062Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that southern Syria will be demilitarized and \u2063suggested that Israeli forces would remain \u2064in the area to counter threats\u2064 from militant organizations. <\/p>\n<p>Additionally, there are hints of potential support for the \u200dDruze \u200bcommunity in southern Syria as\u200d they navigate their relationship \u2063wiht both the Syrian state and \u200cIsrael.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Israel launches major airstrikes against Syria after announcing new policy to &lsquo;pacify&rsquo;<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2018346\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/syria\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Syria\">Israel<\/a> launched a series of major airstrikes against <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/syria\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Syria\">Syria<\/a> after announcing a new policy of &ldquo;pacifying&rdquo; the southern portion of the country.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces said that it had struck several military targets in southern Syria, including sites containing weapons and command centers. The airstrikes targeted a town just south of Damascus and the province of Daraa, security sources <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jpost.com\/breaking-news\/article-843758#google_vignette\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"told\">told<\/a> the <em>Jerusalem Post<\/em>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Israeli army armored vehicles block a road leading to the town of Quneitra, Syria, Jan. 5, 2025. (AP Photo\/Mosa&rsquo;ab Elshamy, File)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&ldquo;The presence of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/white-house-releases-list-of-president-trumps-accomplishments-and-it-is-historic\/\" title=\"White House Releases List of President Trump\u2019s Accomplishments \u2013  And It Is Historic!\">military forces<\/a> and assets in the southern part of Syria pose a threat to the citizens of Israel. The IDF will continue to operate in order to remove any threat to the citizens of the State of Israel,&rdquo; the IDF said in a statement.<\/p>\n<p><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/3307750\/what-happened-in-the-syrian-civil-war\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">SYRIAN CIVIL WAR: WHAT LED TO THE FALL OF THE REGIME<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n<p>The U.K.-based war monitor Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that two soldiers and two civilians were killed in the strikes, a rarity among Israel&rsquo;s strikes against Syria over the past few months.<\/p>\n<p>Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that the airstrikes were part of a new policy &ldquo;pacifying&rdquo; the south of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/in-line-for-senior-job-at-state-sanders-aide-accuses-biden-of-illegal-military-action\/\" title=\"In Line For Senior Job at ..., Sanders Aide Accuses Biden of Illegal Military Action\">war-torn country<\/a>, comparing it to Lebanon.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The air force is attacking strongly in southern Syria as part of the new policy we have defined of pacifying southern Syria &mdash; and the message is clear: We will not allow southern Syria to become southern Lebanon,&rdquo; Katz said.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We will not endanger the security of our citizens,&rdquo; he added. &ldquo;Any attempt by Syrian regime forces and the country&rsquo;s terrorist organizations to establish themselves in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/republicans-call-on-pelosi-to-remove-military-style-fencing-around-capitol\/\" title=\"Republicans Call on Pelosi to Remove \u2018Military-Style Fencing\u2019 Around Capitol\">security zone<\/a> in southern Syria &mdash; will be met with fire.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The airstrikes were met with an angry response from Syrians, many of whom took to the streets to protest and demand attacks against Israel in retaliation.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Oh Julani, oh Habib &mdash; bomb, bomb Tel Aviv,&rdquo; <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/warfareanalysis\/status\/1894532217713328348\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">protesters chanted<\/a> in Umayyad Square in Damascus, imploring Syrian President Abu Mohammad al Julani to act.<\/p>\n<p>Julani&rsquo;s government has faced criticism for its ineffectual response to Israel&rsquo;s incursions, so far not having fired a shot against them. The new government is looking to deal with the crippling economic and social crises gripping the country, preferring to avoid the issue of Israel in the meantime.<\/p>\n<p>In a Monday speech, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that southern Syria will be &ldquo;demilitarized&rdquo; and that Israeli troops would remain in the buffer zone established after the fall of former President Bashar Assad&rsquo;s regime &ldquo;for the foreseeable future.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We will not allow the presence of the HTS organization or the new Syrian Army in the area south of Damascus,&rdquo; he said, referring to the al Qaeda offshoot rebel group that led the offensive that toppled Assad in December.<\/p>\n<p>An Israeli official told the <em>Times of Israel<\/em> that any Syrian army forces that move south of Damascus will risk &ldquo;facing an Israeli response by fire.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The official then hinted at Israel&rsquo;s plans in the area by voicing support for the Druze.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We are not going to allow jihadists near our border, we are not going to allow threats to the Druze in Syria &hellip; and we will not allow another Oct. 7 to happen in the Golan,&rdquo; the official said.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);\"><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/3284266\/eu-eyeing-easing-syrian-sanctions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">EU EYEING EASING OF SYRIAN SANCTIONS<\/a><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p>The Druze are a syncretic, esoteric Islamic offshoot ethno-religion who have distinguished themselves over their close relations with Israel. Rumors swirled after Israel&rsquo;s strikes that it could set up a Druze autonomous state in Syria&rsquo;s south as a bulwark against Damascus.<\/p>\n<p>Earlier this week, Druze militants <a href=\"https:\/\/www.israelhayom.com\/2025\/02\/24\/tensions-rise-in-syria-as-druze-establish-militia-separate-from-al-julani-regime\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"proclaimed\">proclaimed<\/a> the <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/vvanwilgenburg\/status\/1893712777421652312\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"formation\">formation<\/a> of the Suwayda Military Council, a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">military group independent<\/a> of the regime in Damascus. Though the move could be seen as a step toward independence, the council stressed their wish to be integrated into the Syrian state on a democratic, secular basis, while expressing support for the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces in the north, themselves under attack from Turkey and Turkish-backed forces.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2018346\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2018346\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Israel conducts significant airstrikes in Syria to enforce a new &#8220;pacification&#8221; policy<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2653,"featured_media":2407181,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Israel-Syria.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[22666,5237,4671,7887,32076],"class_list":["post-2407180","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-airstrikes","tag-conflict","tag-israel","tag-syria","tag-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Israel-Syria.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2407180","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2653"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2407180"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2407180\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2407184,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2407180\/revisions\/2407184"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2407181"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2407180"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2407180"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2407180"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}