Syrians Flee as Israeli Attacks Escalate Across the South
Syrians face growing displacement as Israeli incursions and attacks continue to spread across the south.
By Priya Sharma ·
Residents in southern Syria are being forced to flee their homes as Israeli air strikes and ground incursions continue. Since the end of October, Israeli forces have carried out repeated attacks on villages in the area, and the latest incursions have been met with fury from the Syrian government and public protests in major cities. The attacks have intensified since the new government took power after toppling longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
The latest Israeli incursions took place on Thursday and were met with fury from the Syrian government. Footage broadcast by state television showed marchers at other rallies carrying posters that read 'We are all Moaz'. The slogan refers to the man with special needs whom Syria says was killed by Israeli fire a day earlier during an incursion in Daraa province.
In Damascus, an AFP correspondent reported seeing hundreds of people at a rally, some of them waving Syrian flags. Protester Taysir al-Hariri told the agency that demonstrators had come out to 'send a message to the world' that Syria stands united 'against Israeli incursions and against anyone who is tempted to tamper. With national security'.
The Israeli military has carried out hundreds of strikes in Syria and made frequent incursions into its territory since the new government took power after toppling longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Israel also sent troops into a UN-patrolled buffer zone that had separated Israeli and Syrian forces on the mainly Israeli-occupied Golan Heights since 1974.
Israel has vowed to keep troops in a so-called 'security zone' in southern Syria, where it seeks a broader demilitarised area. The repeated Israeli incursions and attacks have led to growing displacement in southern Syria.
State media reported on Friday that Israeli forces advanced into part of Quneitra province and blocked several roads. Israeli troops have bulldozed olive groves, set up checkpoints and detained residents in the area.
The attacks have intensified since the end of October, with Israeli forces carrying out repeated attacks on villages in the area. The latest incursions have been met with fury from the Syrian government and public protests in major cities.
The new government took power after toppling longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
The repeated Israeli incursions and attacks have led to growing displacement in southern Syria.
Source: Middle East Eye
