Tensions remain high in southern Syria as Israeli military activity intensifies in the Quneitra region, amid attempts by Syria’s interim authorities to reassert state control following the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime in late 2024.
According to reports from Syrian state media SANA and international outlets including Turkey’s Yeni Şafak, Israeli forces carried out at least three separate ground incursions into rural Quneitra on Tuesday.
Local sources said a patrol of three Israeli military vehicles entered the villages of Bariqa and Kudna from the direction of Bir Ajam. In a separate incident, a larger Israeli force—estimated at around 12 military vehicles—crossed into the area via Tal Abu Ghaithar, advancing several kilometers inside Syrian territory before withdrawing later in the day.
Observers say the movements reflect a gradual shift over the past year from what Israel has previously described as limited, temporary operations to a more sustained and assertive military posture along the border zone.
Fragile Transition, Rising Risks
The incursions come at a sensitive moment for Syria’s transitional leadership, which has sought to restore security and administrative authority in border regions long affected by conflict and fragmentation. Analysts warn that repeated Israeli movements risk undermining stabilization efforts and could trigger local confrontations involving armed groups or residual militias operating in the area.
Residents in Quneitra reported heightened anxiety and disruptions to daily life, with some villages experiencing temporary displacement amid fears of escalation. No official casualty figures were reported as of Tuesday evening.
Neither Israeli authorities nor Syria’s interim government had issued detailed statements on the latest incidents by the time of publication. However, regional analysts caution that the evolving situation in southern Syria could become a new flashpoint if military activities continue without diplomatic de-escalation mechanisms.
