In the aftermath of the Syria civil war, which resulted in the toppling of the Bashar al-Assad regime, Israel has laid waste to a major portion of Syria’s military infrastructure, and launched a ground operation to capture strategic areas, and has seized Mount Hermon, Syria’s tallest peak.
Israel captured Mount Hermon, barely hours after Assad’s fall. (File)
Syria Civil War: Israel has laid waste to a major portion of Syria’s military infrastructure, almost immediately after the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime at the hands of rebel forces. Apart from annihilating Syria’s naval and air power, and razing all military bases near the Israel-Syria border, the Israeli Army also launched a ground operation to capture strategic areas, and has seized Mount Hermon, Syria’s tallest peak. Here’s why.
Why Israel captured Mount Hermon?
Israel’s seizure of Mount Hermon is being described by many experts as its ‘biggest victory’, even though Tel Aviv has asserted its occupation is temporary and the Israeli army will withdrawn from the region once its objectives are fulfilled.
Defence experts believe that Mount Hermon is one of the most import strategic position in the region as it is highest point which overlooks Syria, Israel, and Lebanon. “This is the highest point in the region, which overlooks Lebanon, Syria, Israel. It is extremely important strategically. There is no alternative to the mountains,” said Efraim Inbar, director of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security (JISS).
The summit of Mount Hermon is located in Syria, and served as a buffer zone that separated Syrian and Israeli armies for the last 50 years. But soon after Assad’s fall, Israeli forces breached the buffer zone and captured the strategic mountain. Although Israel claims that its occupation is “temporary”, on Friday, Israeli Defense Minister Herman Katz asked the army to prepare for harsh winter deployment, clear signs that Tel Aviv intends to stay in Syria for a while.
“Due to developments in Syria, maintaining our control over the summit of Mount Hermon is of utmost security importance for Israel,” Katz said in statement.
Israeli army advancing towards Damascus?
Amidst Israel’s growing campaign in Syria, a report from Voice of the Capital, a Syrian activist group, has claimed that the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) are heading towards Damascus. The group claims, which could not be independently verified, stated that the Israeli army had reached Beqaasem, about 25 km from the Syrian capital.
When queried, an Israeli military spokesman denied the reports that Israeli forces were advancing towards Damascus, and asserted that Israel respects previous agreements.
According to Syrian activist group Voice of the Capital, Israeli forces (IDF) have advanced from this place and reached Beqassem, about 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) from the Syrian capital. However, their claim could not be independently confirmed. This week an Israeli military spokesman denied that his country’s forces were advancing towards Damascus. Israel has insisted that it respects old agreements and its troops are nowhere near Damascus.
Why Mount Hermon is important for Israel?
According to military experts, Israel’s capture of Syria’s Mount Hermon a major success as its gives Jewish nation a priceless strategic asset. At 9,232 feet tall, Mount Hermon peak is the highest point in either Syria or Israel, and second only to a peak in Lebanon.
Even Iranian military experts, Israel’s sworn enemies, believe this is a massive success for Tel Aviv. “Sometimes people say that in the age of missiles, land is not important – this is absolutely false,” they said.
In academic paper published in 2011, Efraim Inbar, had outlined the strategic advantages presented by Mount Hermon. “It can be used to electronically monitor Syrian territory, allowing Israel to know about incoming threats in advance,” he wrote.
Inbar argued that advanced technological options such as aerial surveillance are expensive and the site would help Israel save money. Aerial surveillance equipment such as AWACS aircraft or reconnaissance drones could be shot down by anti-air missiles.
Israel sets sights on Damascus?
While the Israeli Army has denied claims its forces are advancing towards Damascus, its worthy to note that the Mount Hermon peak is located barely 35 kilometers away from the Syrian capital. IDF, which already controls the foothills of the mountain, now has the capability to launch artillery strikes on Damascus, if needed.
Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he has an “extended hand” to a new government in Syria. But in a post-October 7 world, Netanyahu and other national security heavyweights have made it clear that they are not going to take any chances.
Who controls Golan Heights?
The Golan Heights region is a strategic plateau in southwestern Syria adjoins Mount Hermon. It was captured by Israel in the 1967 war, and the Jewish nation has occupied the area ever since.
In 1973, Syria had made a bid to reclaim the region in a surprise attack, but the attempt failed and Israel annexed it in 1981. Notably, Israel’s occupation of Golan Heights is illegal under international law, but US recognised Israel’s claim to the area during the previous Trump administration.
However, other major countries, including India, China, and Russia, do not recognise Israel’s claim to Golan Heights. Even though Israel has occupied some of the lower slopes of Mount Hermon for decades and even operates a ski resort in the area, the peak was in Syria’s possession until recently.