The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have admitted to conducting a “special operation” in Syria. This comes as Israel continues its war on Hamas in Gaza, and exchanges tit-for-tat strikes with Iran.  However, the IDF did not specify when the operation in Syria took place.

The Associated Press, as reported by RT, cited a pro-government Syrian radio station as reporting on Sunday that Israeli forces had carried out a “kidnapping operation” over the summer, targeting a man in the south of the country.

The man, named Syrian citizen Ali Soleiman al-Assi, was detained “during an intelligence-based, special IDF operation,” the Israeli military said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday.

Al-Assi, who the IDF claims is an Iranian terror network operative, lived in the area of Saida in southern Syria, roughly 60km from the border with Israel. The Israeli military has accused him of “gathering intelligence on IDF troops in the border area for future terror activity.”  –RT

“The IDF will not allow Iranian proxies in southern Syria to operate and threaten Israeli civilians,” the statement said.

Over the past year, Israel has carried out multiple airstrikes on Syria, targeting both members of Hezbollah and Iranian officials. Iran is an ally of both the Shiite movement and Damascus. The IDF has not previously made public any ground forays into the country.

Israel’s Fake Attack On Iran Changes Game in Middle East

Israel significantly escalated its campaign against the Shiite militant group in September, launching Operation Northern Arrows to attack Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon.

What is interesting, is that the Israeli Foreign Ministry and the IDF claim to have “eliminated” nearly all of Hezbollah’s senior military leaders, including the movement’s long-time secretary-general, Hassan Nasrallah, and his potential successor, Hashem Safieddine. If that’s the case, why is war continuing rage and attacks continuing to happen on surrounding areas?

Israel Doubles Down On It’s Goal To Eliminate Hamas