News|Syria's WarIsrael attacked Syria more than 600 times over the past yearIn the last year, Israel averaged nearly two daily attacks on Syria and grabbed more land in the occupied Golan Heights.
On Thu, Dec 8, 2024, a coalition of allied rebel groups executed a strategic offensive resulting in the fall of Damascus and the conclusion of the al-Assad family's 54-year rule. This development has had significant military and geopolitical…
On Thu, Dec 8, 2024, a coalition of allied rebel groups executed a strategic offensive resulting in the fall of Damascus and the conclusion of the al-Assad family's 54-year rule. This development has had significant military and geopolitical repercussions, notably involving Israel's intensified military operations in the region.
In the aftermath of the regime's collapse, Israel escalated its military campaign in Syria, targeting critical military infrastructure, including airports, air defense systems, and strategic facilities. According to data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED), Israel conducted over 600 air, drone, or artillery attacks across Syria from Dec 8, 2024, to Nov 28, 2025, averaging nearly two attacks per day.
The attacks have been predominantly concentrated in the southern Syrian governorates:
Quneitra : At least 232 attacks, adjacent to the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Deraa : 167 attacks, focusing on former regime military sites and suspected arms convoys. Damascus : At least 77 attacks, including 20 in Damascus city.
On Thu, Dec 8, 2024, a coalition of allied rebel groups executed a strategic offensive resulting in the fall of Damascus and the conclusion of the al-Assad family's 54-year rule.
Rationale Behind Israeli Military Actions
Israel has justified its military actions in Syria as efforts to dismantle Iranian military installations and prevent weapons from reaching groups it deems extremist. Following the fall of the al-Assad government, Israel declared air superiority by neutralizing a substantial portion of Syria’s air defense systems to mitigate potential threats.
President Ahmed al-Sharaa, succeeding the al-Assad regime, has stated that Syria seeks no conflict with Israel and will not allow its territory to be used for launching attacks by foreign entities.
Territorial Changes in the Golan Heights
Post-collapse, Israeli forces moved into the Syrian side of the Golan Heights, an area Israel has occupied since 1967. This action violates the 1974 UN-brokered ceasefire agreement. Israel has established several military outposts and conducted air raids and ground incursions in the demilitarized zone, drawing widespread international condemnation.
Despite international criticism, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced in February that Israeli forces would remain indefinitely to secure the area and prevent hostile entities from establishing a presence near the border.
The Israeli-occupied Golan Heights covers 1,200 square kilometers, with the UN buffer zone encompassing an additional 235 square kilometers. Israel has also seized approximately 420 square kilometers of Syrian land beyond the buffer zone.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.
