by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a major operation in Quneitra, a strategically significant city in southwestern Syria near the Golan Heights. Syrian sources have confirmed that Israeli tanks have surrounded government buildings and issued evacuation orders, according to Sky News Arabia on Monday.
Footage documenting the military presence has circulated on social media, while Arab media outlets reported that Israeli forces entered Al-Baath city, also known as “New Quneitra,” located 1.9 miles from the Israeli border. The forces approached government buildings and institutions, issuing evacuation orders to officials.
The pro-Iranian Al Mayadeen news outlet confirmed that IDF tanks and other armored vehicles had entered Al-Baath with the aim of accessing government offices for inspection.
The Israeli military presence in southern Syria has sparked widespread protests among local residents, with several demonstrators being injured after approaching the deployed forces.
Since the fall of the Assad regime on Oct. 8, Israeli troops have positioned themselves inside and beyond the Golan buffer zone, including on the strategic Syrian side of Mount Hermon, while the Israeli Air Force has conducted hundreds of strikes on Assad’s military assets.
Israeli officials have stated that IDF troops will remain positioned in the demilitarized zone around the Golan Heights as long as necessary to maintain border security since the fall of Assad. However, they also indicated that they might consider transferring control of the buffer zone to a stable and accountable Syrian government, though this remains to be seen.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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