The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Tuesday that they conducted airstrikes on two military bases in central Syria, specifically targeting the Tadmur and T4 facilities. This offensive took place just one day after Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, cautioned that such strikes could lead to increased tensions in both Syria and Lebanon.
In a statement, the IDF confirmed: “A short while ago, the IDF struck military capabilities that remained at the Syrian military bases of Tadmur and T4,” identifying the bases located near Palmyra and approximately 50 kilometers west of the city. They continued to emphasize their commitment to neutralizing threats against Israeli citizens, underlining that “the IDF will continue to act in order to remove any threat posed to the citizens of the State of Israel.”
This latest operation follows a similar raid on the same bases reported by a war monitoring group last Friday. During her visit to Jerusalem, Kallas expressed concern over Israel’s military actions, stating that the airstrikes on Syria and Lebanon are exacerbating regional instability. “Military actions must be proportionate, and Israeli strikes into Syria and Lebanon risk further escalation,” she remarked at a joint news conference alongside Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar. Kallas emphasized that such military interventions are unnecessary, pointing out that Syria is currently not posing an offensive threat to Israel. She warned that these actions could further radicalize sentiments in the region, potentially against Israel.
The context of these strikes is rooted in the ongoing conflict in Syria, which has seen Israel conduct hundreds of airstrikes on military targets since Islamist factions overthrew President Bashar al-Assad in December 2011. Israel’s consistent rationale for these operations is to thwart the transfer of weapons to factions it deems extremist, particularly those that could align themselves against Israeli interests.
Despite an existing ceasefire, tensions remain high along the Israel-Lebanon border. On Saturday, the Israeli military conducted airstrikes in southern Lebanon, killing eight individuals. This retaliation came in response to an unprecedented rocket attack from Lebanese territory, marking the first such incident since a ceasefire came into effect on November 27. Responsibility for the rocket fire remains unknown, with no faction claiming ownership.
In addition to these military actions, the Israeli army has increased its presence in the UN-patrolled buffer zone on the Golan Heights. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated calls for the demilitarization of southern Syria. In response to these developments, Syria’s foreign ministry has accused Israel of undermining the country’s stability through its military campaigns.
When addressing Israel’s perspective on Syria’s new leadership during her visit, Kallas expressed caution: “Of course our worries are the same. They say the right things; will they do the right things?” She further emphasized the need for a stable Syria, as discussed among European Union member states, advocating for a strategic approach to regional stability.
