DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) – Israel has launched a wave of heavy-handed fighting in Syria as its forces push into the country, drawing within 25 kilometers (15 miles) of the capital, a Syrian opposition military analyst said Tuesday.
Associated Press reporters in Damascus heard heavy airstrikes overnight on Tuesday in the city and its suburbs. Photos circulating online showed the destruction of helicopters, helicopters and warplanes.
There was no immediate word from the rebel groups – led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS – that have taken control of Damascus.
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Israel previously occupied 400 square kilometers (155-square-miles) inside Syria that was established after the 1973 Mideast war, a move it said was taken to prevent attacks after the ouster of President Bashar. Assad.
Israel has also said that it is striking areas suspected of having chemical weapons and heavy weapons to prevent them from falling into the hands of extremists. Israeli authorities rarely accept individual strikes.
Israel has a long history of seizing territory during war with its neighbors and occupying it forever, citing security. Israel took the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war and placed it on a route unknown to the rest of the world, except the United States.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, based in Britain, which has closely monitored the conflict since the start of the civil war almost 14 years ago, said that Israel has struck more than 300 planes across the country since the rebels defeated Assad at the weekend, killing half of his family. -years to rule.
The Observatory, and Beirut-based Mayadeen TV, which has journalists in Syria, said Israeli forces are advancing on the Syrian side of the border with Lebanon. It was impossible to independently confirm the reports.
An Israeli army chief said the army is planning to take a defensive position inside Syria as well as “a few other ideas that have meaning.” The official, speaking on condition of anonymity in accordance with regulations, dismissed reports of extensive Israeli involvement. intervention as “rumor.”
Egypt and Saudi Arabia condemned Israel’s intervention, accusing it of exploiting the instability in Syria and violating international law.
“The attacks carried out by the Israeli government by force, including the seizure of the closed area in the Golan Heights, and the targeting of Syrian territory confirm Israel’s continued violation of the principles of international law and its determination to undermine Syria’s chances of restoring its security, stability and territorial integrity,” the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Tuesday. .
Saudi Arabia has been in talks with the United States in recent years about improving relations with Israel in exchange for a defense agreement for the United States, American assistance in developing a nuclear program for the people and a way to establish a Palestinian state.
But this kingdom also condemned what Israel has done in the Gaza Strip, where it is fighting with the Hamas group. Last month, Saudi Arabia’s crown prince and de facto ruler, Mohammed bin Salman, accused Israel of killing people in Gaza, which Israel denies.
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Mroue reported from Beirut and Lidman from Tel Aviv, Israel.
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Follow the AP’s Syria coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/syria