The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that it conducted a ground operation in Syria, detaining a Syrian citizen linked to Iran, the Associated Press reported. The agency notes that for the first time Israel announces the actions of its forces on Syrian territory.
Israel has carried out airstrikes in Syria several times over the past year against members of the Lebanese Shia movement “Hezbollah” and officials of Iran – a close ally of both Hezbollah and Syria, but has so far not publicly announced ground operations in Syria.
The IDF reported that the removal of the person was part of a special operation “which took place in recent months”, although they did not specify the exact date. The Syrian government has not yet confirmed the data, but its affiliated radio station “Sham FM” reported yesterday that Israeli forces conducted a “kidnapping operation“ in the southern part of the country.
Meanwhile, the IDF announced yesterday that its naval forces had carried out an operation in the northern Lebanese city of Saida, taking away Ali Soleimani al-Assi, described as a high-ranking member of “Hezbollah”. He has reportedly been under surveillance for many months and has been linked to activities in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights near the border with Syria. The Israeli side reports that he was taken to Israel for questioning.
Meanwhile, the IDF continues its offensive in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, where it reports that it is fighting against fighters from the Palestinian movement “Hamas”.