Israel Brews Conflict in Southern Syria

March 3rd, 2025

Boyana Nikolova

In the beginning of 2025, Syrians celebrated the fall of their former president, Bashar al-Assad’s tyrannical regime. However, months into Syria’s newfound freedom, the country hasn’t just been left vulnerable to instability, military pressure coming from Israel has forced Syria into a difficult position. Now, Syrian leaders need to choose between self-defense and possible escalation if they don’t appease Israeli demands.

Israel’s demands are few, but highly unrealistic and extreme: commanding Syria to remove all troops from its southern provinces of Quneitra, Deraa, and Suweida. By voluntarily removing troops from its south, Syria would be taking an enormous risk with little to no benefit. However, Israel hasn’t given them much opportunity to decide on their own. Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, has stated that until the south of the country is demilitarized, mass air raids will continue and thousands of IDF soldiers will be stationed there indefinitely.

Consequently, Syria is struggling. The Israeli Air Forces are targeting weapon depots, naval and aerial fleets, as well as government facilities. Multiple military sites have been assaulted by Israeli bombs or missile strikes, and Syrian forces are desperately trying to regroup and replace what they have lost. With air raids continuing, though, it has been difficult for them to find stable ground. Syria’s army is losing critical resources and even if it isn’t taken out of the south, it would be more difficult for it to defend that territory.

Furthermore, IDF troops are costing national and local governments immensely. First, troops are engaging in mass looting across the south, stealing both strategic equipment as well as common valuables. Already, the IDF has looted $28 million worth of cash, around 183,000 pieces of individual weaponry, and many other priceless items like jewelry. It’s unclear why or where the looted material is going, but it should be a reason for concern in Syria. The country is being militarily and economically weakened by Israel with the only proposed solution being that it removes its last source of self-defense. Israel’s motives aren’t explicit, but by the day, they’re becoming more clear.

Thus, as troops are setting up military outposts and training zones, the world has come up with a hypothesis: Israel could be setting the ground for a potential invasion of southern Syria. When looking at how IDF troops have been operating, this worry becomes more realistic. As of now, troops have constructed 9 military outposts on Syrian territory and kept them active. Although Netanyahu has pledged that they’re all temporary and meant to safeguard against a terrorist uprising, these outposts are more likely being used as military checkpoints. Satellite imagery has even revealed that each outpost is designed for permanent use, all of them fitted with living quarters and central command centers. Evidently, extended presence could make Syrian demilitarization all the more dangerous, while invasion becomes all the more likely.

Even if Syria decides to not take action because of these risks and even if Israel goes no further, the dispute is affecting Syrian communities and their ability to thrive. Israeli bulldozers, tanks, and troops have reached and devastated swaths of farmland, destroying local agriculture and many villagers’ only sources of income. In some cases, Israeli forces have cut farmers off from accessing certain areas, dictating where they are and aren’t allowed to cultivate. Villager livelihoods have been endangered and regardless of whether Israel’s suspicious actions are mere threats, their suffering will, unfortunately, continue.

Syria is still recovering from the weight of its past regime and an uninvited conflict could complicate its transition to democracy. It’s clear that the world should be keeping an eye on southern Syria and Syria - an eye on Israel.