Israel Demolishes Syrian Military; Netanyahu to Rebels: Support Iran and You're Next - Video, Maps, Analysis
Since Assad's fall, in wave after wave of bombing runs, the IDF systematically destroyed key chemical weapon sites, ballistic missiles, jets and helos, warships and ports, bunkers and ammo dumps.
[This report —recorded in our homefront “mamad” bomb shelter perch in the northern Galilee—will be updated as events dictate. Meanwhile, please feel free to share this post, subscribe, and donate to help support my efforts to bring you accurate, sourced reporting, and close-up-and-personal slice-of-life scenes here in northern Israel and our Life on the Border - thank you for your consideration]:
Tuesday evening update: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a stark warning to the rebels who ousted Syrian regime leader, Bashar al-Assad, warned that their fate would be like that of Assad if they side with or let Tehran renew its weapons smuggling or activities against Israel:
“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening (Tuesday, 10 December 2024), at the [Defense Ministry] Kirya in Tel Aviv [translated from Hebrew]:
“We have no intention of interfering in Syria's internal affairs; however, we do intend to do what is necessary for our security.
“As such, I approved the Air Force bombing of strategic military capabilities left by the Syrian military so that they will not fall into the hands of the jihadists.
“This is similar to what the British Air Force did when it bombed the fleet of the Vichy regime, which was cooperating with the Nazis, so that it would not fall into the Nazis' hands.
“We want to have relations with the new regime in Syria but if this regime allows Iran to re-establish itself in Syria, or allows the transfer of Iranian weapons, or weapons of any kind, to Hezbollah, or attacks us – we will respond forcefully and we will exact a heavy price.
“What happened to the previous regime will also happen to this one.”
[Whether late at night, early in the morning, or at noon, in northern Israel we’ve been hearing IAF jets overhead for days, sounding heavy—as in packing “loaded for bear”-level ordinance—as high-altitude contrails follow jets streaking eastward over the Golan and into Syria. The near-incessant Israeli rocket and bomb salvos are turning decades and hundreds of millions of dollars of Russian, North Korean, and Iranian armaments, war matériel, and infrastructure into pillars of flame, smoke, and twisted metal—before the marauding ISIS and al-Qaida-affiliated rebels can get their hands on them - DB]:
“Several bases of the Assad army were attacked, and dozens of fighter jets, dozens of surface-to-air missile systems, amphibious vehicles, production sites, and warehouses of WMD and surface-to-surface missiles were destroyed.
“'This is one of the largest attack operations in the history of the Air Force,' a security source told Army radio.
“It should be noted that the navy is also involved in the military operations in Syria and the operation to destroy the Assad army, and is destroying military ships in the port of Latakia,” according to Army radio reporter, Doron Kadosh.
Israeli airstrikes extensively damaged Syrian Navy seacraft at the Port of Latakia.
“The Syrian Center for Human Rights, an opposition body based in Great Britain, reports 310 air force strikes in Syria since the fall of Assad,” according to Israel Army radio correspondent, Ro’i Kass: “It seems that there are by far more districts in Syria that were attacked than those that were not attacked in the crazy wave of attacks by the ‘Liechtensteini’ Air Force that started last night.”
”The Syrian Center for Human Rights reported this morning that it had documented 310 attacks in the past 24 hours targeting former Assad army assets and military sites that were empty.
Abandoned Syrian Army tanks, left at the side of the road, discovered by incoming rebel forces.
“At the same time, the Syrian Center reported that pro-Turkish Syrian factions had taken control of the city of Manbij, which had been under the control of Kurdish forces.
“According to the Syrian Center, the IDF is on the border of the Damascus province to the south.” (Shahar Kleiman, Israel Hayom)
Among some 300-and-counting targets, “Israeli airstrikes struck a Syrian airbase near Damascus, targeting the Qabr Essit Airport, a former Assad regime hub for helicopter operations, south of the capital near Aqraba,” according to the Jewish Breaking News, quoting local sources.
“Simultaneously, additional strikes hit a branch of the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Center in Damascus, a facility reportedly linked to Assad’s *chemical weapons program.”
“Since the fall of Assad’s government, Israel has carried out numerous strikes in Syria, focusing on preventing advanced weaponry from reaching hostile groups. These operations have destroyed missile storage sites, air defense systems, weapon production facilities, chemical weapons stockpiles, and military equipment, including aircraft and tanks, once part of the Syrian army .” (Jewish Breaking News)
“The IDF's air operation in Syria: One of the largest strike operations in the history of the Air Force.
“Senior Air Force official: ‘We prepared for years, but we didn't think it would actually happen. Certainly not with this intensity. The pilots are attacking and rubbing their eyes.’" (Almog Boker, Army radio)
IDF forces have deployed along the Syrian side of Mt. Hermon (brown tip at top of left map), and areas to the south:
Israel has deployed forces in nine Druze and Christian villages on the Syrian side the slopes of Mt. Hermon, in the Damascus district, according to local sources.
“Elite IDF Shaldag soldiers on the peak of the Syrian Hermon outpost, in tribute to their comrade, Master Sergeant Dov (Dubi) Kogan z”l, who fell in the Gaza Strip – they named the place “Dubi Outpost.” (JBN)
Analysis - Naftali Hazony:
“Israel has conquered Mt. Hermon, the highest mountain in Syria, its peak reaching 2,814m. Syria’s capital, Damascus, is only 40 km away, now within range of Israel’s artillery shells. Here’s why Israel took this mountain:
“For decades, Israel’s northern defenses were overshadowed by Syria's Mt. Hermon. No longer. The most important natural fortress in the region is now in the hands of Israel. Israel did it quietly, driving into Syria's abandoned positions and taking them without a fight.
“In the past, Israel’s radars suffered from a significant blind spot, unable to see beyond Mt. Hermon and parts of Lebanon from their position on Mt. Meron. Iran's low-flying drones exploited this weakness, infiltrating Israel time and time again.
“Once placed on Mt. Hermon, Israel’s radars will see far into both Syria and Lebanon, providing early warning of incoming low-flying jets and drones. Israel’s intelligence can also leverage the peak, placing sensors to conduct surveillance and intercept enemy communications.
“The mountains also provide the perfect cover for Israel’s special forces and spies, who can now enter Syria more freely, conducting missions under the cover of darkness.
“As the sun rises, Mt. Hermon casts a shadow over Hezbollah’s stronghold in Southern Lebanon, dominating the main road to their northern stronghold in the Beqaa Valley. Several of Hezbollah’s smuggling routes north of the Hermon have been cut off.
“Be it ISIS, HTS, Iran, or Hezbollah, a hostile force advancing toward Israel will now be exposed—at the mercy of Israel’s drones, surface-to-surface missiles, and laser-guided bombs. Residents of north Israel can sleep more soundly knowing that Israel controls this peak.”
Analysis - Sarit Zehavi, Tal Beeri, Alma Research Center:
“In the Middle East, “there is no such thing as there is no such thing”, immediate interests take precedence over all other considerations. It is also possible that Hezbollah, backed by Iran, could maintain certain ties with various rebel groups, allowing them to transfer some of the remaining weapons to it in exchange for large sums of money. Remember that the collapse of the Syrian regime also led to the collapse of the Iranian arms corridor to Hezbollah. This has cut off Hezbollah’s lifeline for military reconstruction and buildup.“The Iranians and Hezbollah will make every effort to find alternatives, adapt, and adjust to the new reality, and we anticipate that this issue will be of great concern to us in the future.”
Read the rest.
Join the Journey - Subscribe for Unfiltered Narratives & Timeless Photography: Substack’s Stripe payment system isn’t available in Israel, so I’ve arranged an alternative for you to support my work. If you’re feeling generous, you can donate via PayPal:
My articles will remain accessible to everyone, but if you choose to contribute, know that it helps me keep doing what I love—bringing these stories to life. Your support means the world to me.
Keep the stories alive with your support, and let’s keep brewing the narrative together. Until next time, stay curious and connected.
Warm regards,
Dave Bender
Thanks for reading Davidbrianbender.com! This post is public so feel free to share it:
Solid update. Your earlier assessment of Mt. Hermon’s importance underscored by the IDF occupation. May they not leave. Seems Israel's immediate future is positive. Lotsa balls remain in the air inside Syria including the unpredictability of the incoming administration. Thanks for your work on this.
Hi Dave, thank you for your very informative coverage. All so good to know👌👍 So glad Israel now has the advantageous, strategic High Ground on Mt H. such a critical position to hold👌 Now that Bibi knows he is no longer going to be handcuffed by the Obama/Biden regime and will have the support once again by the Trump Admin, Israel is also, now more able to engage, as The Lion untethered. To be more able & determined to establish Her, “Never Again” stance without reservation. Furthermore, not that it will change the despicable stances taken by Global Bodies such as the UN etc etc, Israel’s rapid response engagement in Syria is sending a clear msg, that it has more than enough of the Will & capabilities to exact all kinds of devastation on those if it wanted to, and that it is being falsely accused of doing to the likes of the “Palestinians” but clearly Isn’t!!! Israel just isn’t like that, to just go in indiscriminately, as it is being so wrongly being portrayed as. While Israel fights for Her very survival… the changing back of the power in America once again thru Trump’s return, will bring with Him a (short, brief, temporary) resurgence that saves America that has been under attack from within by Obama & Crew since 2008! Which has also greatly effected the Brotherhood that was breached by the former, and has now been healed again between Israel & America once again. Fare Thee well😎 Regards Paul