The Northern Front
According to the situation assessment at the Northern Command last night, it was decided that this morning (Monday) the restrictions imposed on four local authorities in the northern Golan Heights, Buqata, Ein Qenya, Mas’ada, and Majdal Shams, will be lifted; enabling schools and kindergartens to operate as usual. Additionally, agricultural lands in Ein Zivan, Bugata-Harbat, and Ein Khura, in Ramat HaGolan, will not be deemed as closed military zones. In this context, the IDF spokesman released new images this morning from the first moments of Shaldag fighters, a special forces unit under the Israeli Air Force, on the Syrian Hermon ridge. The IDF spokesman in Arabic issued an urgent warning yesterday afternoon to residents in several villages in southern Syria: ‘The fighting in your area forces the IDF to act, and we do not intend to harm you. For your safety, you should remain in your homes and not go out until further notice.’ During the night, the Air Force struck several targets in the capital Damascus and across Syria.
“New East”
In light of the situation assessment and as part of the increased preparedness in the Golan Heights yesterday, IDF forces on land and in the air were deployed along the Golan front. Additionally, all defense departments on the homefront were mobilized. The IDF reported yesterday that the forces of the Golan Division (474) are operating at the border in efforts to gather information and protect the residents of the State of Israel and the Golan Heights in particular. While at the same time fortifying physical barriers on the new Eastern border.
Security officials explained that the decision to occupy part of the Syrian Hermon and to seize a buffer zone by the IDF was made by the security cabinet on Saturday night. As the government realized that the regime of the ousted president Bashar al-Assad was collapsing, the IDF had already entered the area and begun operational activities to implement the government’s decision.
‘A New East’: Reinforcement of the Engineering Barrier in the Syria-Israel Border Sector | IDF Spokesperson
Biden: ‘Finally, His Regime has been Overthrown’
U.S. President Joe Biden referred in his speech last night to the escape of the deposed dictator and said: “The U.S. is not sure where he is. There are rumors that he is in Moscow. Finally, his regime has been overthrown. This is a moment of risk and uncertainty, but the U.S. will work together with its partners and stakeholders in Syria to help them seize the opportunity and manage the risk.” Biden emphasized that the U.S. intends to support Syria’s neighbors during the ‘transition period.’ He also noted that he plans to talk with leaders in the region and send people of his choosing to the Middle East: “We have taken into account the statements of the leaders of the rebel organizations. We will examine their words and actions.”
