In late December, Ruwayda al-Aqaar, along with her husband and 3-year-old daughter, were awakened by the sounds of tanks and bulldozers entering their village of Suwaisah in southeastern Syria. The family, fearful of potential displacement, joined other residents in witnessing dozens of Israeli soldiers marching into their small farming community.
Residents had been apprehensive for weeks, anticipating Israeli incursions following similar actions in neighboring areas soon after a coalition of Syrian rebels expelled President Bashar al-Assad. Israeli forces commenced operations in border villages under the pretext of security measures, which have since evolved into a continued military presence during January and February.
Israeli troops specifically targeted sites in villages, including the demolition of an abandoned Syrian military outpost in Suwaisah. Residents were ordered to surrender any weapons they possessed. This account is substantiated by interviews with local inhabitants and shared photographic evidence.
On December 25, Israeli forces entered Suwaisah, met by villagers who expressed peace with olive branches, chanting “Syria is free, free,” while the soldiers were heavily armed. The raids have instilled fear in the locals who had previously celebrated the fall of Assad, with their joy quickly turning into anxiety about a foreign military presence.
This region, adjacent to the Golan Heights—a territory captured by Israel during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War—is seen as strategically vital for security, causing heightened concern regarding what many perceive as a potential occupation.
In recent months, Israel has expanded control in the Golan Heights and southwestern Syria, executing hundreds of airstrikes against government military assets. The Israeli military asserts that its operations are necessary for safeguarding its borders amidst fears of a security vacuum following Assad's regime collapse.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated that military occupation of the seized lands may continue indefinitely until alternative security arrangements are established. Continued incursions into Syrian territory have been met with international condemnation, with the United Nations urging for the restoration of Syria's sovereignty.
Eyewitness accounts from Suwaisah describe Israeli troops demanding the surrender of weapons while demolishing local infrastructure. During protests against the military presence in the nearby village of Al-Dawayah Al-Kabirah, unarmed civilians were reportedly shot, causing injuries among residents, including a child.
The Israeli military maintains that its operations do not target civilians, stating that they act against military threats. Incident reports describe interactions between Israeli soldiers and villagers, where residents were encouraged to maintain a safe distance.
As tensions continue in the area, local residents express uncertainty about the future, having recently experienced a transition from celebration to alarm in the wake of foreign military action. Many villagers are resolved to protect their lands, emphasizing a desire to avoid another form of oppression following the ouster of Assad.