Israel Declares War on Syria: Bombing Campaign and Occupation of 2,400 Square Kilometres

By Elijah J. Magnier –

The Syrian conflict has reached a critical juncture, with former President Bashar al-Assad granted asylum in Russia on a humanitarian—rather than political—basis, where the Syrian embassy has now raised the flag of the newly established leadership. For many Syrians, the end of Assad’s rule signifies a deeply internal struggle, driven by a collective aspiration for self-determination and the dismantling of decades of entrenched authoritarian governance.

Amidst Syria’s domestic upheaval, Israel has capitalised on the country’s weakened state and the absence of the Russian umbrella that previously served as a partial check on Israeli aggression. Exploiting the power vacuum, Israel has effectively declared war on Syria from one side, expanding its territorial control while targeting 250 critical strategic assets, including dozens of MiG-29 fighter jets, helicopters, military airports, and vital infrastructure in Damascus.

In key regions such as the Golan Heights, Quneitra, Latakia, and Damascus, Israel has advanced unopposed, encountering no resistance and achieving substantial territorial and strategic gains without firing a single shot.

Israel’s recent actions have prompted critical questions: Will Syrians respond to this aggression, and if so, how? Can they mount an effective resistance given the fragmented state of their country and its current vulnerabilities? Furthermore, what stance will the international community and regional powers take as these unfolding developments reshape the balance of power in the region?

Israel’s Territorial Advances and Their Strategic Significance