Israeli Defense Minister Katz visited the area in southern Syria under Israeli occupation and met with soldiers stationed there. During the visit, Katz defended Israel’s refusal to withdraw from Mount Hermon or the occupied area.
Saying that the threat to the State of Israel continued, Katz said they would maintain their current positions. Addressing Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Katz said that when Sharaa looked toward Mount Hermon from his palace in Damascus, he would see the Israeli army. Katz also said that Israeli soldiers were in the area to protect the borders.
Katz’s claim about Türkiye
Katz claimed that Türkiye was attempting to establish a presence in Syria. Arguing that this initiative threatened Israel’s security interests, Katz defended Israel’s decision to maintain its positions in the area.
Attack on Abu al-Duhur
Israeli warplanes targeted the unused Abu al-Duhur Military Air Base in Syria’s Idlib province on August 18.
The Syrian Foreign Ministry described the attack as an “unjustified attack.” The ministry condemned the action as a “dangerous escalation” that threatened the security and stability of the region.
Claudio Cordone, the Deputy Special Envoy of the United Nations for Syria, also reacted to the attack on the Abu al-Duhur Military Air Base and called for respect for Syria’s territorial integrity.