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IDF spokesman denies Israeli troops have crossed beyond Syria buffer zone -UPDATED

10 December 2024 13:28 (UTC +04:00)

The IDF denies reports claiming that Israeli troops are advancing toward Damascus, saying that it is only operating inside the buffer zone on the border between Israel and Syria in the Golan Heights, APA reports citing Times of Israel.

“Reports circulating in some media outlets claiming that IDF troops are advancing or approaching Damascus are completely incorrect,” Col. Avichay Adraee, the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesman says on X.

“IDF troops are present inside the buffer zone and at defensive positions close to the border in order to protect the Israeli border,” he adds.

Reuters, citing two regional security sources and one Syrian security source, claimed that troops reached Qatana. It was unclear if the report was referring to the Qatana district, parts of which jut the buffer zone, or the town, which is around 25km from Damascus and east of the buffer zone.

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12:21

An Israeli military incursion into Syria has reached about 25 km (16 miles) southwest of Damascus, Syrian security sources said on Tuesday, after Israel seized a buffer zone in southern Syria and launched air strikes on Syrian army and air bases overnight, APA reports citing Reuters.

Israel's military operation into Syria comes two days after the lightning overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad by a rebel alliance left Syrians, regional countries and world powers nervous about what comes next.

A Syrian security source said Israeli troops reached Qatana, which is 10 km (six miles) into Syrian territory east of a demilitarised zone separating Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria.

The Israeli military declined comment.

Israel has said it will not become involved in conflict in Syria and that its seizure of the buffer zone was a defensive move.

Egypt, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have condemned the incursion. Saudi Arabia said the move would "ruin Syria's chances of restoring security".