Israeli Defense strikes military targets in Syria, vows not to let neighbor become another Lebanon

Israel on Tuesday confirmed that it is striking military targets in southern Syria, after the new Syrian regime called for Israeli forces to depart its borders.

Israeli forces are currently occupying the demilitarized buffer zone on Syria's border, where the forces have been residing since the new regime toppled former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government in December 2024.

The new Syrian government called for Israel to leave the buffer zone earlier Tuesday, stating that its occupation was a "flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the Syrian state," ABC News reported.

"The IDF struck military targets in southern Syria, including command centers and multiple sites containing weapons, over the past few hours," the Israeli Defense Force posted on X. " The presence of military forces and assets in the southern part of Syria pose a threat to Israeli civilians. The IDF will continue to operate in order to remove any threat to Israelis."

Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz also confirmed that the Israeli Air Force was attacking southern Syria, including near the country's capital of Damascus.

"We will not allow southern Syria to become southern Lebanon," Katz said. "Any attempt by the Syrian regime forces and the country's terrorist organizations to establish themselves in the security zone in southern Syria will be met with fire ... We will not endanger the security of our citizens."

Katz also said last week that IDF troops will remain in Lebanon past its agreed-upon deadline, in order to ensure the safety of Israeli citizens. 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.