The Syrian government has condemned overnight Israeli attacks in southern Syria, as residents near the occupied Golan Heights were forced to flee their homes.
Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday strongly condemned “Israeli aggressions”, calling them “a flagrant violation of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
The latest attack took place on Sunday in Abdin, a village in western Deraa province, where residents reportedly attempted to block the advance of an Israeli military unit.
According to local accounts, Israeli forces fired shells near civilian homes, forcing families to flee to neighbouring villages during the night.
“Shells fell near the houses,” Mahmoud Mouaffak, a village notable, told AFP.
Israeli forces later withdrew, allowing residents to return on Monday morning, he added.
An AFP photographer reported seeing a resident inspecting an unexploded shell near his home.
Rising Israeli military activity in southern Syria
Israel has increased its attacks and incursions in southern Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in late 2024.
Israeli forces have moved into the UN-monitored buffer zone separating Israeli and Syrian forces on the Golan Heights — territory occupied by Israel since 1967 — and have also advanced deeper into Syrian territory.
In recent weeks, Israel has stepped up operations in the Deraa and Quneitra regions. The Syrian Sijil Center, which monitors Israeli activity in Syria, recorded nearly 300 operations or violations in these areas in June alone, including 107 incursions and raids.
On Sunday, Israel said it had killed “several armed terrorists” the previous day, without providing details on location or evidence. Israel frequently describes Syrians resisting its presence as “terrorists.”
Israeli officials have also stated intentions to maintain and expand their military presence beyond the Golan Heights. Defence Minister Israel Katz recently said Israeli troops would remain in the occupied sector in Syria “for an indefinite period,” similar to positions held in Lebanon and Gaza.
Israel captured most of the Golan Heights during the 1967 war and later annexed it in 1981 — a move not recognised by most of the international community.
Regional reaction
Türkiye, which is close to Syria’s current government, strongly condemned the latest Israeli attacks.
“We strongly condemn the Israeli attacks on Quneitra and Deraa, which violate the territorial integrity, unity and sovereignty of Syria,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said.
“These attacks, which trample on the lives and property of the Syrian people and make life for civilians in the region increasingly difficult, constitute a flagrant violation of international law,” it added.
Ankara called on the international community to take action to stop the attacks.