Quneitra: Israeli warplanes flew at low altitude over Quneitra province in southwestern Syria, coinciding with the advancement of Israeli ground forces into nearby villages, reported Syrian official media. This development is part of ongoing Israeli activities which Syria regards as violations of its sovereignty.
According to Anadolu Agency, Israeli military aircraft conducted low-level flights over the area without an immediate explanation for the overflight, as stated by the state-run Al-Ekhbariya Channel. Meanwhile, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) detailed that an Israeli force, comprising eight vehicles, entered several villages in the Quneitra countryside. The incursion began at the Adnaniyah crossing, advancing through the villages of Umm al-Azam and Ruwayhinah, and passing through Rasm al-Halabi, al-Mushairfa, and Umm Batina.
There were no immediate comments from either the Israeli army or the Syrian authorities regarding these reports. However, Israeli activities in southern Syria have become almost daily occurrences, which include arrests and the establishment of temporary checkpoints, contributing to public discontent.
The Syrian populace argues that these continuous Israeli actions are hindering efforts to restore stability and are complicating the government's attempts to attract investment aimed at improving economic conditions. Despite Syria posing no direct threat to Israel, its forces have frequently entered Syrian territory and launched airstrikes, impacting civilians and Syrian military infrastructure.
Syrian government records indicate that since December 2024, Israel has conducted over 1,000 airstrikes on Syria and more than 400 cross-border raids into the southern provinces. Following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in late 2024, Israel expanded its occupation of the Syrian Golan Heights by taking control of the demilitarized buffer zone, violating a 1974 agreement with Syria.
After the Assad government's collapse on December 8, 2024, Israel declared the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement with Syria nullified. Damascus has repeatedly called on Israel to cease what it describes as violations, as reported by SANA.