After the Syrian rebels took over the capital city of Damascus, Israel took out over 350 military targets throughout the country. Through Operation Bashan Arrow, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) wanted to make sure Syria’s advanced weapons would not fall into the hands of terrorist groups. The IAF also destroyed fifteen boats from the Syrian navy fleet in the Latakia and Al-Bayda ports. Israeli forces targeted a few air bases, eliminating a few dozen planes and helicopters. Israel wanted to make sure to destroy weapon production facilities in Damascus, Homs, Latakia, Palmyra, and Tartus, as well as cruise missiles, surface-to-sea missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), fighter jets, radars, tanks, and attack helicopters.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) denied reports that troops had entered Syria and were sixteen miles from Damascus. IDF Arabic media spokesperson, Colonel Avichay Adraee, wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Reports circulating in some media outlets claiming that IDF forces are advancing or approaching Damascus are completely incorrect. IDF forces are present inside the buffer zone and at defensive points close to the border in order to protect the Israeli border.” Israel is creating a larger temporary buffer zone on the border with Syria and establishing strong communication with local Syrian populations, including the Druze community, to keep the region and borders around Israel stable.

Please pray for the region around Israel’s northern borders to remain safe and without incident.