Israel launches infantry raid into Syria

The Israeli military says it launched an infantry raid in southern Syria to disrupt weapons smuggling and storage.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced today that its soldiers "completed a mission involving on-site interrogation of several suspected arms traffickers in the Hader area of southern Syria".

Israeli forces operated approximately 15 km inside Syrian territory, seizing weapons that Tel Aviv believes could threaten Israel if they fell into the hands of "hostile forces". The IDF added that an infantry division will remain in the area to "prevent potential threats and protect Israeli civilians, especially residents of the Golan Heights".

Syrian officials have not commented on the report.

Israeli soldiers in the town of Hader, southern Syria, early morning 3/8. Photo: IDF

Israeli soldiers in the town of Hader, southern Syria, early morning 3/8. Photo: IDF

Since the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad's government in 12/2024, the IDF has declared it will not allow Syrian troops in the south of the country. It has also asserted control over the UN-monitored demilitarized zone in the Golan Heights and conducted hundreds of airstrikes on targets in its neighboring country.

In July, Israel bombed Syrian government forces in Damascus and Sweida province to force the Syrian army to withdraw from the south amid rising sectarian violence.

Tel Aviv claims its actions are to protect the Druze community. However, some diplomats and analysts suggest Israel aims to weaken the Syrian army and push Damascus' forces away from the border.

Weapons seized by IDF soldiers during the raid in the town of Hader, southern Syria, on 3/8. Photo: IDF

Weapons seized by IDF soldiers during the raid in the town of Hader, southern Syria, on 3/8. Photo: IDF

The Druze are a religious and ethnic community residing primarily in Syria, Lebanon, and Israel. Their distinct religion, with similarities to Shiite Islam, does not recognize conversion and restricts marriage outside the community.

About 140,000 Druze live in Israel, comprising about 2% of the population. Between 250,000 and 300,000 Druze also live in Syria, concentrated in Sweida province, and have deep familial and historical ties with the community in Israel.

In recent months, the Israeli military said its infantry has carried out over 300 operations in southern Syria to "apprehend suspected terrorists, prevent enemy reinforcements, and disrupt arms smuggling into Lebanon".