The occupation of Mount Hermon by Israel is seen as a strategic move to enhance military surveillance and control over the region following the political upheaval in Syria.
Khamenei's accusations highlight the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, particularly regarding US and Israeli influence in the region.
The international community's response to Israel's military actions suggests a growing concern over the potential for increased instability in Syria and the broader region.
Israel's control over Mount Hermon may lead to increased military confrontations with Syrian forces and their allies in the region.
The dynamics of power in Syria could shift further as various factions vie for control in the absence of a strong central government under Assad.
Iran may intensify its military and political support for groups opposing Israeli influence in Syria, potentially leading to escalated conflicts.
Israel's Strategic Occupation of Mount Hermon Following Assad's Fall
In a significant military maneuver, Israeli forces have occupied Mount Hermon and several sites in the occupied Syrian Golan following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad's regime on December 8, 2024. This move coincided with celebrations among Syrian opposition forces who gained control of Damascus. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared the collapse of the 1974 disengagement agreement with Syria, prompting orders to seize a 235 square kilometer buffer zone previously monitored by United Nations forces.
Mount Hermon, the highest peak in Syria at 2,814 meters, holds strategic importance due to its geographical location, which allows for extensive surveillance over Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine. It has historically been a vital observation point for Israeli military operations, particularly concerning movements from Damascus and Hezbollah positions in Lebanon. Israeli military experts assert that controlling Mount Hermon enables Israel to monitor and potentially counteract threats from Syrian territory, especially as the dynamics in the region shift following Assad's ouster.
Khamenei's Accusations Against the US and Israel
In response to the developments in Syria, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused the United States and Israel of orchestrating Assad's downfall as part of a broader strategy to dismantle the so-called Axis of Resistance in the region. Khamenei's rhetoric suggests that he believes Iran will emerge stronger despite these challenges, asserting that the resistance front will continue to grow in response to external pressures. He emphasized that the US presence in Syria is not sustainable and will eventually be expelled.
Israeli officials, including Netanyahu, have framed their military actions as necessary for dismantling what they term the
indicating a proactive stance against perceived threats from Iran and its allies. The Israeli military's recent operations, dubbed
have reportedly targeted numerous Syrian military capabilities, significantly degrading the Assad regime's infrastructure.
International reactions to Israel's military actions have been mixed. France has urged Israel to respect the 1974 disengagement agreement, while Germany has called for restraint from both Israel and Turkey to avoid destabilizing the region further. Meanwhile, Russia has confirmed that it continues to support Assad, granting him asylum and asserting its role in stabilizing Syria amidst the ongoing conflict.
