PALMYRA, KOMPAS.com – The Israeli military has once again conducted airstrikes deep into Syrian territory, targeting two pivotal military bases in the central region, including a facility near the ancient city of Palmyra, on Friday, March 21, 2025.
“Just now, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) attacked remaining military strategic capabilities at Syrian military bases in Tadmur and T4,” read an official statement from the Israeli military, as quoted by news agency AFP. This latest operation underscores Israel’s proactive stance amidst the evolving geopolitical landscape in its northern neighbor.
These strikes are part of an ongoing series of Israeli military operations following the overthrow of Bashar Al Assad’s government by rebel factions in December 2024. Tel Aviv views the newly established Syrian administration as a direct threat to its national security interests, prompting a sustained campaign of targeted interventions.
Israel asserts that the primary objective of these military actions is to prevent strategic weaponry from falling into the hands of the new Syrian government. The Jewish state fears that such an acquisition could significantly destabilize the already volatile regional security environment, posing an unacceptable risk to its borders.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has emphatically reiterated his nation’s firm position, explicitly rejecting the presence of new Syrian government forces in the critical region south of Damascus. “We demand that the southern Syria region be completely demilitarized. We will not tolerate any threat whatsoever to Israel’s security,” Netanyahu declared, emphasizing the red lines Tel Aviv has drawn.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based war monitor, corroborated reports of Israeli fighter jets striking a military airbase within the Palmyra area. However, official information regarding potential casualties or the extent of material damage inflicted by these latest attacks remains unconfirmed at this time.
In response, the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs vehemently condemned the Israeli aggression, accusing the nation of orchestrating a “systematic campaign” aimed at undermining the stability of the Syrian state. This diplomatic retort highlights the deep-seated animosity and distrust between the two nations.
Despite efforts by the new Syrian government to distance itself from the political affiliations of the past Assad regime, Israel remains profoundly suspicious. This enduring mistrust continues to fuel Israel’s military operations, which are strategically designed to limit the influence and capabilities of the new Syrian regime in the wider region.