Syria

Blinken warns:

'ISIS might exploit the situation in Syria'

US Secretary of State cautions that ISIS might exploit the current situation in Syria to regain strength, but stresses the United States' resolve to prevent that from happening.

US envoy seeking info on missing journalist Austin Tice

Roger Carstens, US special envoy for hostage affairs, arrives in Beirut to intensify efforts to locate Tice, who disappeared in Syria in 2012.

Reports:

Israeli tanks are about 20 km from Damascus

In the wake of the toppling of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, Israel has struck more than 250 targets across Syria. Reports say the IDF has taken control of nine villages in the southern suburbs of Damascus.

Saudi Arabia:

'Israel determined to sabotage Syria's security'

Saudi Arabia continues recent trend of criticism of Israel, this time denouncing IDF operations at the UN-patrolled buffer zone in the Golan Heights.

Report:

IRGC leaders ‘at war with themselves’ over fall of Assad

The Telegraph reports that IRGC commanders are pointing fingers at one another “in angry terms” for the collapse of Assad’s regime. Some are calling for the dismissal of Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani.

Amb. Danon to UN: Israel's presence in Syria is temporary

IDF will safeguard Israel's security, Israel is not intervening in the Syrian conflict, Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon tells UN Security Council Pres. Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

Israeli source:

Indirect talks being held with sources in Syrian rebel groups

'There is someone to speak to on the other side, and messages were passed,' Israeli source says. The US is supportive of Israel's actions in Syria; Egypt condemns.

Watch: Paratroopers enter Syrian territory

IDF publishes first footage of paratroopers entering Syrian territory in order to distance threats from border towns in the Israeli Golan Heights.

Sa'ar to foreign journalists:

'Israel temporarily took over areas in Syria to prevent a 10/7'

Foreign Minister holds briefing for foreign media explaining Israel's actions following the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, calls for international action to protect minorities in Syria such as the Kurds.

Zvi Yechezkeli on Assad's fall:

'This is a golden hour for Israel, a chance that won't return'

Analyst Zvi Yechezkeli says Israel made the right move in taking over the Syrian Golan Heights, stresses that 'the Shiite axis has collapsed,' Syria will take many years to recover from civil war.

At Defense Minister's instruction:

IDF takes control of additional sites in Syria

Defense Minister Israel Katz orders IDF to destroy terror infrastructure, heavy weapons in southern Syria- including in the area beyond the buffer zone.

After Assad's fall

Syrian soccer changes its logo and colors

Syrian Soccer Federation announces redesign of the team’s logo and kit, changing their color from red to green.

Ten critical questions post-Assad Syria collapse

The DF is deployed along the border and on the Syrian side of Mt. Hermon in order to protect Israel, but there is much uncertainty about how the situation eastward will play out.

Photos:

Sayeret Shaldag soldiers operate in the Syrian Hermon region

IDF Spokesperson's Unit publishes photos from Sunday's operation by the 5101st Unit (Sayeret Shaldag) in the Syrian Hermon region, after the toppling of the Assad regime.

US official:

'We're monitoring the status of Syria's chemical weapons'

After collapse of Assad regime, senior US official says the White House is focusing on the next steps in Syria, which include engaging with local groups, consulting regional leaders, and continuing efforts to combat ISIS.

Blinken on Assad regime:

'After 14 years, the Syrian people finally have reason for hope'

Secretary of State says the US strongly supports a peaceful transition of power in Syria.

After Assad regime collapses

US Army strikes over 75 ISIS targets in Syria

US Central Command says the strikes were meant to prevent ISIS from taking advantage of the current situation to reconstitute in central Syria.

Assad regime collapse:

FBI still offering reward for info on journalist Austin Tice

FBI offering a reward of up to $1 million for information leading to the safe return of American journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared in Syria in 2012.

Prof. Eyal Zisser:

'IDF should not deploy more forces in Syria'

Prof. Eyal Zisser says that the collapse of Assad regime is "a major blow and setback for Iran and Hezbollah" and agrees that it happened thanks to Israel’s military operations in Lebanon

Report:

Israel considering advancing further into Syria

The political echelon is discussing whether or not to take control of areas deeper in Syrian territory to prevent them from falling into the hands of Islamist rebels.

Watch:

IDF soldiers operate along Syrian border

Following the fall of the Assad regime, the IDF has released footage of its troops operating along the Syrian border as well as the work to fortify the engineering barrier along the border.

Netanyahu on northern border:

'Assad's fall opens new opportunities for entire region'

PM speaks near Syrian border, hails fall of the Assad regime as a "historic day" for the Middle East and vows that no hostile force will be allowed to establish itself on the Israel-Syria border.

Rabbi Meir Mazuz:

'Anyone who harms Israel will fall'

Rabbi Meir Mazuz commented on the fall of Assad's regime in Syria and emphasized the need for prayer.

IDF closes regions near Syrian border following regime's fall

Druze communities in the Golan area have moved to online classes, and new restrictions are in place to govern agricultural activity in the region.

Avigdor Liberman:

'We need to monitor how Assad's fall affects Jordan'

Former Defense Minister warns that Israel must be cognizant of the regional implications of the fall of the Assad regime, not merely what happens on the Israel-Syria border.

Final image of the Assad regime:

Syrian PM leaves home to transfer power to the rebels

Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalal evacuates with opposition members to a hotel in Damascus, where the transfer of power to the rebels will take place, in a symbol of the end of the Assad era.

Where's Assad? Did his plane crash?

Rumors abound as to the Syrian president's whereabouts following the fall of his government. Senior Syrian army officers claim he fled the country, but Israeli sources are uncertain.

Trump:

'Iran is weakened by Israel's fighting and success'

US President-Elect reacts to overthrow regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, says Russia lost interest in defending Assad due to being bogged down with the Ukraine War.

Watch:

Rebels announce overthrow of Assad on Syrian television

Syrian rebels declare 'the city of Damascus has been liberated and the dictator Bashar al-Assad has been overthrown' after Assad flees Damascus.

Intelligence Error

Israeli forces believed Syria's army would be able to stop rebels

Israeli intelligence agencies did not foresee the rapid advance of Syrian rebels and the collapse of the Assad regime.

Lapid on Assad's fall:

'More important than ever to create strong regional coalition'

Opposition Leader says the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in Syria demonstrates the need to create a strong regional coalition, with Saudi Arabia and the Abraham Accords countries to deal with regional instability.

Fall of the Assad regime:

IDF enters Golan Heights demilitarized zone

Significant infantry and tank forces enter buffer zone to prevent rebels who toppled the Assad regime from entering the zone and threatening northern Israel.

US National Security Adviser:

'We have no intention of intervening militarily in Syria'

As Syrian rebels take over Damascus, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan stresses the United States has no intention of intervening militarily in Syria’s civil war, but will continue taking necessary actions to prevent ISIS from capitalizing on the instability.

In first: Israel intervenes in Syrian conflict

IDF uses artillery fire to help United Nations forces repel rebel attack near Hader, opposite Israel's Majdal Shams; reports say rebels have taken the Syria-Israel border area.

Moving closer to the US?

Syrian President Assad to distance himself from Iran-Russia axis

Diplomatic source says Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has reached the conclusion that Russia and the Islamic Republic are no longer able to ensure his continued rule.

Trump:

Syria is not our fight

President-elect Donald Trump states his intention to avoid involvement in the Syrian civil war, emphasizing it is not America's battle.

Syrian rebels reach outskirts of Damascus

Syrian rebels have progressed towards Damascus, claiming to have encircled the city.

Watch:

IDF preparing for 'all scenarios' in Syria

IDF Operations Directorate exercise simulates deployment of General Staff readiness forces in real time.

Report:

Syrian rebels may cut off weapons to Hezbollah

The rapid rebel advance towards Damascus is threatening one of the key routes from Iran into Lebanon.

As Assad regime nears collapse:

IDF sends reinforcements to Golan Heights

Amid the developments in Syria and concerns that the Assad regime may be close to collapsing the Israeli Security Cabinet will meet on both Saturday and Sunday evening.

IDF targets terror infrastructure on the Lebanon-Syria border

IDF strikes weapons smuggling routes, terror infrastructure, near Syrian regime's crossings at the Syria-Lebanon border. 'Hezbollah takes advantage of civilian infrastructure, with support from the Syrian regime.'

As rebels make fast advances:

Netanyahu holds meeting to discuss developments in Syria

Israeli officials say that Israel was startled by the rebels' fast advance against the forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and believe the collapse of the regime is a plausible scenario.

Syria:

Rebels encircle Hama 'from three sides,' says war monitor

Syrian rebels have encircled the key city of Hama despite counteroffensive by government forces, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Hezbollah rep. to Syrian military eliminated

Salman Nemer Jamaa, Hezbollah’s representative to the Syrian military, eliminated in IAF strike in Damascus.

'We urge de-escalation'

US, France, Germany, and UK 'monitoring' situation in Syria

Governments of the US, France, Germany, and the UK issue statement on the situation in Syria, after rebels launched an offensive against the Syrian army, taking over Aleppo.

Russia announces:

'We're assisting Syrian army in fending off rebels'

Russia says it is assisting the Syrian army in fending off rebel forces who launched an assault in the provinces of Idlib, Hama and Aleppo.

Israel demands Iranian plane not land in Syria, return to Iran

Israeli security forces suspected the plane carried weapons intended for Hezbollah, IAF planes flew alongside it and ordered it to return to Iran.

Netanyahu:

We're following situation in Syria, enforcing Lebanon ceasefire

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to new recruits for the Armored Corps, stresses, 'We're aggressively enforcing the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, any violation is met by a powerful response by the IDF.'

Expert:

Syrian rebels' offensive linked to Lebanon ceasefire deal

Dr. Yossi Mansharof, a researcher at the Misgav Institute, says Syrian rebel groups identified opportunity created by Lebanon-Israel ceasefire deal. Prior to the offensive, he had warned of a potential Iranian invasion of Israel - via Syria.

After just four days:

Syrian rebel forces make significant gains in Aleppo

Syrian rebel forces nearing Hama as the country's military retreats towards Homs, reports say.

Discussion of Syria

Netanyahu to hold rare Friday night security consultation

The discussion comes after Syrian rebels entered the city of Aleppo, three days after launching a surprise offensive against Assad’s troops.

IRGC general killed in clashes with rebels in Syria

Fighting between rebels and government forces reignited in the northwest Aleppo province.

US Army targets pro-Iranian militias in Syria

CENTCOM says the strike was in response to an attack by the militias on US personnel.

IDF exposes Hezbollah smuggling routes via Syria

The IDF reveals a series of attacks that thwarted attempts to transfer weapons through Syria to Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Report:

Israel prevented Iranian plane from landing in Damascus

An Iranian flight from Tehran to the Syrian capital had to turn around after threats by Israel which feared that it was carrying ammunition, together with its passengers.

Hezbollah weapons smuggling site on Lebanon-Syria border struck

Site near Jousieh Crossing used to transfer weapons from Syria to Hezbollah through the terrorist group's 4400 Unit struck by IAF.

Turkey bombs Syria, cuts off water for more than 1 million

Turkey has attacked drought-stricken northeastern Syria, cutting off its electricity and water.

Report:

Russia increasing its presence on Syria-Israel border

Syria's official SANA news agency reports that Russia is strengthening its presence in the Syrian Golan Heights and has established two additional military posts in the area.

Islamic Jihad confirms:

Two senior members eliminated in Israeli strike in Syria

Rasmi Abu Issa, head of Islamic Jihad's foreign relations team, and Abdul Aziz al-Minawi, from the terror group's political bureau, were eliminated in an Israeli strike in Damascus.

IDF strikes Islamic Jihad targets in Syria

IDF strikes inflicted significant damage to the Islamic Jihad organization's command center and to its operatives in Syria.