Israel Raids Southern Syria, Demands Demilitarization

Israeli troops carried out coordinated overnight raids on four sites in southern Syria near the annexed Golan Heights, targeting suspected arms trafficking operations. Several individuals were interrogated in the village of Hader and numerous weapons were seized, as part of Israel's ongoing efforts to prevent arms smuggling and deter threats to civilians in the region. These actions come in the wake of President Bashar al-Assad's fall in December 2024, with Israel expressing increased wariness toward the new authorities in Syria. Israeli forces remain deployed to counter what they describe as terrorist entrenchment and have recently intervened in Sweida and carried out strikes on Damascus, citing both broader security concerns and the protection of minority communities. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for the demilitarization of southern Syria to ensure the security of Israel's frontier. The broader impact of these operations on regional stability continues to be monitored.