Israeli Military Operations Target Tyre in Southern Lebanon
Military and strategic expert Colonel Hatem Karim Al-Falahi has outlined the Israeli army's ongoing ground operations in southern Lebanon, particularly focusing on the city of Tyre. According to Al-Falahi, these operations aim to control vital areas, with Tyre Harfa identified as a crucial starting point for advancing towards the coast and ultimately reaching Tyre itself.
On November 16, the Israeli army issued evacuation orders to residents of 15 villages in southern Lebanon, urging them to move north of the Awali River. This warning extended to areas surrounding Tyre, as the military prepared for extensive bombing campaigns. Al-Falahi noted that the operations are being conducted along three primary axes, with the 146th Division leading efforts on the western front, which has seen rapid developments.
The military strategy includes the formation of combat units comprising paratrooper and armored brigades, such as the 646th Brigade and the Carmel Brigade. The objective is to secure complete control of Tyre Harfa, which would serve as a launch point for further operations towards Shama and Al-Bayada, ultimately aiming for Naqoura and Tyre.
Intensive artillery and air bombardments are being directed at Tyre, with the intent of evacuating neighborhoods and establishing strategic dominance in the region. Al-Falahi emphasized that these military actions are not only tactical but also serve to exert political pressure on the Lebanese leadership to consider the American initiative amidst escalating violence in southern Beirut and Tyre.
Interconnected Military Tactics and Challenges
Al-Falahi elaborated on the interconnected nature of the military operations, highlighting that the 36th Division is active in the Maroun al-Ras area, while the 91st Division is being bolstered by the 55th Brigade of the 98th Division for missions on the eastern front towards Taloussa. This pressure aims to compel resistance forces to fortify their positions, potentially allowing Israel to exploit vulnerabilities in the defenses extending towards Kafr Kila and Markaba.
The expert believes that the Israeli army is employing deceptive tactics, using military maneuvers to provoke the resistance into repositioning its forces. He noted that the increasing casualties among Israeli troops have led to a shift in tactics, with the army now opting to destroy homes rather than storm them due to the risks posed by ambushes and explosive devices.
Al-Falahi pointed out that the Israeli military is increasingly relying on paratrooper brigades to support the advance of mechanized and armored units, especially following significant losses of tanks in Tyre Harfa. The tactics being employed have drawn parallels to previous operations in the Gaza Strip, where civilians are warned to evacuate before targeted bombings, indicating a systematic approach to destruction.
