Can all the outside actors fuck off, the situation is precarious enough already.
Over 350 Israeli air strikes hit 13 Syrian provinces in four days: War monitor
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) says “Israeli fighter jets continue to destroy the remaining military assets in Syria for the fourth consecutive day”. According to the war monitor, some of the main targets of today’s Israeli air strikes were:
- radar systems in the villages of Billah and Al-Balatah, north of Tartous, as well as one in the countryside of Latakia
- Deir Az Zor military airbase as well as al-Talae camp in the city of Deir Az Zor’s al-Jourah area
Israel exhibiting ‘new security doctrine’ by violating Syria’s sovereignty
Israel is taking advantage of uncertainty in Syria to provide a buffer for its own security, according to Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East and North Africa programme at Chatham House.
“This is of course a violation of Syria’s sovereignty and the lack of international reaction is egregious and will bode poorly for Washington’s objectives of integrating Israel into the Middle East,” Vakil told Al Jazeera.
“Arab states feel very uncomfortable by what appears to be Israel’s new security doctrine of creating buffer zones on its borders using Arab land.”
Israel has seized territory in Syrian-controlled areas of the Golan Heights. It has also marked an area of southern Lebanon as a red “no go” zone on maps it distributes to Lebanese people, telling them not to return to their homes there.
Turkish forces and proxies bombard villages in northeast Syria: Monitor
Turkiye and its proxies stationed in Syria have bombarded several villages in Tel Tamr countryside and nearby villages in Hasakah in northeastern Syria, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
The UK-based war monitor said displaced civilians from the targeted villages rushed out to safer areas.
On Sunday, it reported Turkish forces firing artillery shells on Kurdish-controlled positions in the northwestern part of Hasakah.
“The bombardment indiscriminately targeted civilian houses, which triggered a state of panic among residents, amid concerns about military escalation by Turkish forces following the toppling of al-Assad.”
Satellite images reveal Russian military movements in Syria
Satellite images obtained by Al Jazeera’s Sanad verification unit show Russian military movements at the Hmeimim airbase and port of Tartous, in addition to details of recent Israeli attacks at the port of Latakia.
Images captured by Maxar Space Systems reveal that most Russian warships departed from the Tartous naval base. Two Russian frigates were still positioned 7-12km (4.5-7.5 miles) west and northwest of the port.
Warplanes and helicopters remained in their usual positions at the Hmeimim airbase near Latakia. No major redeployment or reinforcements were noticeable.
Moscow has said it is in contact with the new Syrian leadership over the fate of its military bases in the country.
Satellite images taken on December 10 also confirmed the extent of the destruction of several missile boats following Israeli air attacks on the port of Latakia. Israel has been aiming to weaken Syrian naval capabilities and prevent any potential threats from the country following the ousting of al-Assad.
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