Israel’s war to erase Syria
Israel’s War to Erase Syria
Tuesday saw a harrowing statement emerge from Tel Aviv. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, addressing a crowd of allies, asserted:
“The fighting will not end until hundreds of thousands of Gazans leave… and Syria is partitioned.”
These remarks, swiftly shared online, dismantled any lingering illusions. Israel’s campaigns are not about “security” or “terrorism” — they are about reshaping the landscape, breaking apart nations, and rewriting the past.
Strikes Across Syria
Earlier in April, Israeli aircraft once again pierced Syrian skies, launching a barrage of missiles at both military installations and civilian areas. The assaults ranged from central airfields to southern regions, where ground troops targeted neighborhoods near Nawa, resulting in the loss of nine lives.
Historical Significance
More than mere destruction, these strikes pierced the heart of a region steeped in heritage. Nawa, a city cradled in the folds of Muslim history, is the birthplace of Imam al-Nawawi — a scholar whose teachings have spanned generations and continents. His legacy, still revered in Cairo to Kuala Lumpur, is now threatened by Israeli bombing.
Not far from Nawa, Tell al-Jabiyah stands as a testament to ancient ties. Here, Caliph Omar ibn al-Khattab once stood, having traveled from Madinah to claim Jerusalem’s keys. The hill, sacred to faith and history, still echoes with the steps of those who shaped the Islamic world.
Legacy of Scholars
Further south and east, other intellectual pillars of the Arab world took root. Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah, a towering jurist, hailed from Izraa in Daraa. Ibn Kathir, the renowned historian of Al-Bidaya wal-Nihaya, was born near Bosra. This land, Houran, has long nurtured a civilization that transcended borders and empires.
By the banks of the Yarmouk River, in 636 AD, Khalid ibn al-Walid led Muslim forces to a pivotal triumph over Byzantine rule. The victory marked a turning point in global history, and now, Israel’s actions threaten to undo that legacy.
The Aftermath of Assad’s Fall
Since the collapse of the Assad regime on 8 December 2024, Israel has intensified its presence in Syria. Hundreds of aerial assaults have obliterated military assets, air defense systems, and storage facilities. The rationale? A lack of trust in the new transitional government.
Yet the timing and scale of these strikes reveal a deeper agenda. Just one day after Assad departed for Moscow, Israeli officials announced plans for a “sterile security zone” spanning over 400 square kilometers — an area larger than the Gaza Strip. This maneuver, backed by forces stationed along Mount Hermon, defies international law and signals a permanent shift.
Defence Minister Israel Katz, standing atop the mountain, declared:
“We will remain… and ensure the southern zone is demilitarised. No threats to the Druze community will be tolerated.”
The promise of minority protection masks a calculated effort to erase Syria’s cultural and historical foundations. For decades, the Druze of Palestine have served in Israel’s military, sacrificing for a state they hoped would grant them equality. Now, their loyalty is repaid with second-class status in their own homeland.
