Damascus, Dec 14 (V7N)- Israel launched a series of intensive strikes on key strategic targets in Syria, with operations continuing late into the night on Friday, December 13. The strikes, concentrated in Damascus and surrounding areas, targeted Syrian army bases, resulting in multiple explosions across the capital, according to reports from Al Jazeera.

The Israeli Defense Ministry released video footage showing operations in Syria's buffer zone. In a statement, Tel Aviv described the strikes as part of a "defensive mission" aimed at neutralizing threats. Troops have been deployed at strategic points, and Israel has supplied anti-tank missile systems, military vests, ammunition, and other military equipment to bolster its operations.

The strikes come on the heels of a dramatic political upheaval in Syria. Last Sunday, December 8, rebel forces overthrew the government of Bashar al-Assad in a swift 12-day campaign dubbed the "swarm operation." Assad fled to Russia, marking the end of his 24-year rule and the Assad family's 53-year dictatorship. The fall of Assad's government concludes Syria's 13-year civil war, a conflict that devastated the country and reshaped regional dynamics.

The political transformation in Syria is seen as a pivotal moment in the Middle East, with far-reaching implications for stability in the region. In the wake of Assad's departure, Israel has intensified its military activities in Syria, which analysts view as part of Tel Aviv's broader strategy to assert its security interests amidst the shifting geopolitical landscape.

This unprecedented period of change raises questions about the future of Syria and the broader region. While Israel maintains its operations are defensive, the escalation underscores the fragility of the post-Assad era and the challenges that lie ahead in restoring stability to the war-torn nation.

END/RH/AJ