Possible cooperation between Israeli and Syrian forces in southern Syria: new signs and context

 

Recent events in southern Syria have once again raised the question of possible cooperation between Israeli and Syrian security forces. On Thursday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced an operation in the area of the Tasil dam in the rural area of Daraa in southwestern Syria. The purpose of the operation was to confiscate weapons and destroy the terrorist infrastructure in the region. However, the discovery of an IDF jeep in the area has raised speculation about more active cooperation between Israeli and Syrian government forces or Shin Bet forces.

One of the key local leaders leading the dissent in the area is Ahmed al-Odeh, a radical Islamist who has been involved in clashes with the forces of the new Syrian administration. This indicates that tensions between loyal and disloyal groups continue in the region, and Israeli forces may be involved in these processes.

Historically, Israel and Syria have had opposing interests in the region for a long time. However, the situation has changed in recent years. In the past, there have been cases of cooperation between Israeli security agencies and some armed groups in Syria. For example, earlier it was reported about contacts between the Israeli special services and the Jabhat al-Nusra group, the former offshoot of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) of the Al-Sharaa group. This indicates that Israeli forces may be working with certain groups in Syria to achieve their strategic goals.

Possible cooperation between Israeli and Syrian forces in the Daraa region may be driven by common interests in fighting terrorist groups and ensuring stability on the border. However, such assumptions are causing concern on the part of the international community, as they could exacerbate tensions in the region and disrupt the fragile truce.

Overall, the situation in southern Syria remains complex and ambiguous. The actions of the Israeli and Syrian forces in the region require careful analysis and monitoring to prevent an escalation of the conflict and ensure the safety of all parties.