Syria, a war-torn country that has been embroiled in a civil conflict for over a decade, is now becoming a major focal point for Israeli military action. While much of the attention in the region has been on Gaza and Lebanon, Israel has been increasingly active in Syria. Its main targets are groups aligned with Iran, such as Hezbollah, as well as Iranian military forces. These actions are reshaping the dynamics of the ongoing conflict and have made Syria a central battleground in Israel’s efforts to disrupt Iran’s presence in the region.
Israel Targets Iranian and Hezbollah Leaders
Over the past two months, Israel has ramped up its military operations in Syria, focusing on high-ranking members of Hezbollah and Iranian military figures. These targets are seen as critical to Iran’s efforts to extend its influence from Iraq to Lebanon, using Syria as a key transit point for weapons and military support. Recent Israeli airstrikes have killed several notable figures, including Ali Musa Daqduq, a senior Hezbollah operator involved in past attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq. Daqduq was reportedly killed in Damascus on November 12.
Other key figures eliminated by Israeli strikes include Salim Ayyash, a Hezbollah leader responsible for the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri, and Mahmoud Shahin, head of Hezbollah’s intelligence network in Syria. These strikes show that Israel is not just targeting low-level operatives but is making a concerted effort to dismantle the leadership of Hezbollah and its allies in Syria.
Disarray in Hezbollah’s Ranks
The recent assassinations and Israeli airstrikes highlight the growing disarray within Hezbollah and its regional allies. Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group backed by Iran, has long been one of Israel’s most prominent adversaries. However, the recent uptick in Israeli military operations has disrupted its activities in Syria and beyond. Some reports indicate that many Hezbollah officials, along with their families, have fled to Iraq in recent weeks, seeking refuge in the Shiite holy cities of Najaf and Karbala, where they believe they will be safe from Israeli strikes.
This disruption has left Hezbollah’s leadership in disarray, weakening their operational capabilities. The loss of such senior figures is a major blow to the group, which relies heavily on its leadership to coordinate and execute operations in Syria and Lebanon. This has contributed to a perception that Hezbollah is under increasing pressure from Israel, which seems intent on weakening the organization’s ability to carry out operations across the region.
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Syrian President Assad’s Strained Position
While Israel is focused on Iran and Hezbollah in Syria, the situation in the country remains complicated due to President Bashar al-Assad’s weakened position. Assad’s government, which has been in power for over two decades, is heavily reliant on support from Iran and Russia to maintain control. However, recent developments suggest that Assad may be seeking to distance himself from his Iranian backers, possibly in an effort to regain favor with moderate Arab states and Western powers.
Reports have surfaced suggesting that Assad has been making efforts to ease tensions with countries like Jordan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which have previously been wary of his regime. Some of these efforts include reducing smuggling activities, particularly the illegal export of Captagon, a powerful drug, into neighboring Jordan. Additionally, Saudi Arabia has reopened its embassy in Damascus, signaling a potential thaw in relations between Assad’s regime and the Arab world.
Despite these overtures, it is unlikely that Assad will completely break ties with Iran. Tehran has been a key ally in keeping Assad in power throughout the brutal Syrian Civil War, providing military and financial support. Any significant shift away from Iran would risk undermining Assad’s position, especially as his regime remains heavily dependent on Iranian and Russian assistance to maintain its control over the country.
Syria’s current state is a reflection of this complicated relationship. The country is divided into three main areas: the regime-controlled region, Kurdish-held areas, and Turkish-backed Sunni regions. Each of these areas has a different patron, with Assad’s government relying on Iranian and Russian support, while the Kurdish region is backed by the United States, and Turkey controls the northwest. This fragmentation has turned Syria into a battleground, not just for local factions, but for global powers.
Syria is currently a focal point for Israeli military efforts to target Hezbollah and Iranian-backed forces. The recent assassinations of key leaders and the disruption of Hezbollah’s operations show that Israel is intensifying its strategy in the region. Meanwhile, the situation in Syria remains volatile, with Assad navigating between his Iranian allies and efforts to improve relations with Arab states.
