Israeli artillery strikes target southern Syrian countryside near Quneitra

Israeli military forces conducted an artillery strike on Syrian territory near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on Wednesday, according to Syrian state media. The attack is the latest in a persistent pattern of cross-border military actions that Damascus condemns as violations of its sovereignty.

Details of the shelling incident

Alikhbaria Syria TV reported that Israeli forces fired several artillery shells from their positions in the occupied area of Tel al-Ahmar al-Gharbi. The projectiles targeted the area of Tel al-Ahmar al-Sharqi, near the village of Kudna in the southern Quneitra countryside. No immediate information was provided regarding potential casualties or material damage resulting from the bombardment.

Pattern of escalation and Syrian grievances

Syrian authorities describe such Israeli actions as nearly daily occurrences that also include ground incursions, arbitrary arrests, and the establishment of temporary checkpoints. Officials argue these operations undermine efforts to stabilize the country and deter much-needed foreign investment for reconstruction. Since the political transition in Damascus in late 2024, Israel has significantly increased its military activity, with Syrian government data claiming over 1,000 airstrikes and more than 400 cross-border ground raids in southern provinces.

Broader context of occupation and regional instability

Following the fall of the Assad government, Israel expanded its control in the Golan Heights by moving into the demilitarized buffer zone established by a 1974 disengagement agreement, a move Syria calls an illegal annexation. The ongoing tensions on Türkiye's southern border contribute to regional volatility. Türkiye, which shares a long border with Syria, consistently calls for respect for Syrian territorial integrity, adherence to international law, and an end to actions that perpetuate conflict and humanitarian suffering in the war-torn country.