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Israel continues to develop its military operations in Syria as the United States begins to engage with the new government of the war-torn country.
On December 20, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) entered the town of al-Rafid in the southern al-Quneitra countryside, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Videos posted to social networks showed Israeli troops inspecting houses and collecting weapons from former rebels and the positions of the now dissolved Syrian Arab Army (SAA).
Separately, at least one person was wounded after Israeli troops opened fire on demonstrators in the western Daraa countryside.
According to the local Daraa 24 outlet, residents of towns in the Yarmouk River basin gathered near a former SAA post close to the town of Ma’ariya to protest against the IDF presence in the region. The outlet said IDF troops opened fire in the air to stop the demonstrators from approaching, and one person was hit directly and wounded.
This was the first such incident since the IDF launched its ground operation in southern Syria after the collapse of the Assad regime on December 8.
Turkey, which is close to the new government in Syria, does not appear to be pleased by Israel’s recent moves in the country.
Speaking to a group of journalists on December 20, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the U.S. and Western powers have a “responsibility to stop Israel” from operating in Syrian territory.
“It must be declared loudly that Israel’s occupation of Syrian territories is unacceptable,” he said.
Meanwhile, the U.S. does not appear to be concerned with Israel’s operation in Syria. Washington is in fact working to take advantage of the current situation to boost its influence in the country.
On December 19, the Pentagon revealed that the U.S. has more than doubled the number of its forces in Syria to fight ISIS.
The U.S. had said for years that there were about 900 troops in Syria, but Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, acknowledges there are roughly 2,000 there now.
Speaking at a Pentagon press conference, Ryder said that the additional forces have been in Syria “at a minimum of some months, it’s been going on for awhile.” He added he only just learned the new number and that the increase is not related to the ouster of Assad or any hike in attacks either by or against ISIS.
Ryder blamed the secrecy on “diplomatic considerations” and sensitivities but declined to be more specific. The defense official also noted that he is “not tracking” any additional adjustments to the force numbers in the future.
Separately, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on December 20 its forces conducted a strike that killed ISIS leader Abu Yusif in the eastern Syria governorate of Deir Ezzor. One other ISIS operative was also killed in the strike, according to the command.
“As stated before, the United States — working with allies and partners in the region — will not allow ISIS to take advantage of the current situation in Syria and reconstitute. ISIS has the intent to break out of detention the over 8,000 ISIS operatives currently being held in facilities in Syria. We will aggressively target these leaders and operatives, including those trying to conduct operations external to Syria,” says CENTCOM Commander Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla.
Also on December 20, the U.S. made its first engagement with the new Syrian government which is led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, a designated terrorist group according to Washington.
U.S. Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf held a meeting in Syria with Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, the leader of HTS in the Syrian capital, Damascus. A planned press conference by Leaf’s delegation visiting Damascus was reportedly “canceled due to security concerns.”
Al Jazeera reported that during the meeting, the two sides discussed the possibility of removing international sanctions against Syria and dropping HTS from the US designated terror list. It is unclear yet if an agreement was reached, especially that the U.S. presented a set of conditions.
All in all, both Israel and the U.S. appear to be the main beneficiaries of the collapse of the Assad regime. The new government is still working to solidify its control and does not appear to be in a position to resist pressure, especially from Washington. This could hurt the influence of both Turkey and Russia.
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