Israel’s Maneuvers in Syria: Origins and Consequences
guest Commentary by Ehsan Moahadian: Last week, Netanyahu’s overt presence in Syrian territory and Israeli warplanes flying over Damascus-without any response from Turkish forces operating in Syria-revealed harsh realities. Netanyahu conducted an on-site visit to mountainous areas in southern Syria that overlook the entire region, parts of which Israel has controlled since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government last year. During this visit, which was publicized by Israeli media, Netanyahu emphasized that Israel’s military position there is “both defensive and offensive,” calling these measures vital for Tel Aviv’s security.
The unchallenged flights of Israeli warplanes over Hauran (Quneitra, Daraa, and Sweida) as well as over Damascus, Tartus, and Latakia-areas under control of pro-Jolani forces-were another incident last week. Despite the presence of Turkish troops throughout many of these regions, they did not react. The Israelis advanced within kilometers of Turkish positions during Netanyahu’s field visit without any concern to demonstrate their dominance over Syrian affairs.
The israeli army’s media branch reported that reservist troops from Battalion 55 “Pioneers,” recently reactivated into reserve status again, are now stationed under command of Israel Defense Forces’ 210th Division operating in southern syria. These troops are tasked with proactive defensive missions to protect Israeli residents-and especially those living on the Golan Heights.
Earlier incidents include March 2025 attacks by Israeli jets targeting Syrian military sites such as radar systems, weapons depots, ammunition stores, and other installations. In July 2025, Israel struck central Damascus-including buildings belonging to Syria’s Ministry of Defense and areas near the Presidential Palace-which were destroyed in those assaults. These strikes signaled warnings toward Jolani forces and Turkey amid ongoing internal conflicts involving Druze minorities in southern Syria. Essentially, Israel views Syria as an uncontested arena for securing its hold on the Golan Heights.
Syrian and International Reactions
The Jolani-led governance fighting Kurdish groups at that time merely condemned Netanyahu’s visit as a “serious violation” of Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity. Other nations like Jordan issued verbal protests labeling it “dangerous” escalation while the United Nations expressed concern per usual protocol. Turkey has remained silent on this matter.
Netanyahu’s Objectives
It appears israel aims for a permanent military foothold in southern Syria designed both to weaken Turkey further and transform Syria into a firm base against the Resistance Axis. Netanyahu previously declared that Israel would not allow new Syrian forces or groups such as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) into parts south of Damascus; he also called for full demilitarization zones including Quneitra, Daraa & Sweida.
Netanyahu’s goal goes beyond neutralizing threats; it seeks lasting control over extensive territories inside Syria-to secure its own strategic interests while countering antagonistic moves politically or militarily elsewhere across Syrians lands-and eventually convert Israel itself into an anti-Resistance base confronting Iran-backed groups like Hezbollah alongside others opposing them politically or militarily. Simultaneously occurring Turkey’s passive role effectively facilitates Israel’s anti-resistance agenda inside syria.
This approach serves two main purposes: defending northern borders against threats posed by resistance factions or independent anti-Israeli Syrian forces; and exerting political influence over internal Syrian developments particularly following Assad’s decline.
Consequences & Impact Following Netanyahu’s Recent actions
Tensions with Syria Increase: Despite Jolani authorities’ muted response-the combination of Netanyahu’s visit coupled with air raids have escalated hostility between Israel and Damascus who have firmly condemned these acts while narrowing paths for Jolani alignment with Tel Aviv.
Deterioration Within Internal Syrian Conflicts: Should this strategy succeed long-term control across southern borderlands may dramatically alter regional dynamics possibly igniting wider battles-particularly if autonomous local armed opposition groups opposing both Iran linked actors or Israelis respond forcefully.
Deteriorating Trust Between Turkey And Israel: Ankara pursues solidifying its military footprint inside Syria yet sees growing challenge from expanding Israeli ambitions there since they prefer centralized authoritarian governance under Assad while Tel Aviv favors fragmenting state authority pushing towards disintegration.
Ongoing stalemate despite attempts at containment risks more direct confrontations-even accidental clashes remain possible-and deeper territorial divides threatening overall security stability far favored by Israelis given their strategic calculations favor weak fractured neighbors rather than unity.
Iranian interests within Syria revolve around preserving supply lines plus maintaining political/military influence primarily around Damascus and Southern provinces aimed at limiting israeli advances along resistance corridors preventing weakening thereof so maintaining credible deterrence both political & security-oriented versus escalating unrestricted maneuvers conducted openly by Tel Aviv alongside apparent tacit acceptance from Ankara.
Iran can pursue several critical avenues towards securing its objectives within this highly volatile landscape:
a) Multidimensional Diplomacy
Pursuing direct dialog channels-overt or covert-with key stakeholders including Russia,Turel,Iraq,Lebanon,and European intermediaries aiming define red lines clearly across relevant theaters avoiding escalation ahead capacity restoration efforts amongst resistance alliance thus enabling risk mitigation reducing potential unintended conflict intensification rates largely through diplomatic leverage applied smartly timely manner.
b) Building Deterrence
Enhancing deterrent capabilities through calibrated messaging adjusted contextually spanning political,economic,diplomatic sectors ultimately combining proportionate responsive options meant strictly enforce deterrence objectives minimizing warfare triggers.
C) Expanding Political And Economic Influence Inside Syri
Investing selectively rebuilding targeted communities providing humanitarian aid engaging economic contracts locally supporting aligned networks boosts costs confronting iran via battlefield amplifying Tehran footprints solidified reconstructed alliances transformed leveraging soft power instruments become integral deterrent chain formation
d) Intelligence And Diplomatic Exchanges To Heighten Situational Awareness
intensifying info sharing among allies exploiting diplomatic conduit pathways enables preemptive warning signals preparing rational coordinated Iranian reactions reducing chances surprise conflicts facilitating precise assessments thereby lowering unintended collision odds .
E) utilizing Legal And International Mechanisms
Encouraging relevant parties lodge formal complaints challenging unilateral violations informing international institutions deploying systematic public diplomacy spotlight breaches reinforcing global pressure mechanisms augmenting costs borne by adversaries .
F ) Conditional Cooperation With Turkey
The dynamic Iran-Turkey relationship oscillates competition combined selective engagement requiring active diplomacy paralleled concerted deterrence maintainance enabled partial risk reduction tools cooperation feasible limited scope focusing technical mechanisms conflict avoidance around sensitive limits case based intel sharing addressing common shared threats advancing regional civilian governed diplomacy efforts
