Israeli forces conduct new ground raid in southern Syria despite US call

Israeli military forces conducted a new ground incursion into southern Syria on Tuesday, reportedly destroying an abandoned military outpost near the village of Samdaniya al-Sharqiya in the Quneitra countryside. The operation, reported by Syrian state television channel Alikhbariya, involved two tanks and ten armored vehicles. The raid occurred despite a public appeal for restraint issued by US President Donald Trump the previous day, underscoring the complex dynamics between Washington, Tel Aviv, and Damascus.

Timing and Pattern of Recent Operations

The latest incursion follows a similar Israeli raid on two other Syrian villages in the same region just a day earlier, part of what Syrian authorities describe as a near-daily pattern of military operations. Official Syrian data indicates that since December 2024, Israel has carried out more than 1,000 airstrikes and over 400 cross-border ground raids into southern provinces. This persistent activity continues despite significant political changes in Damascus following the fall of the previous government, after which Israel expanded its control in the Golan Heights by seizing a demilitarized buffer zone established by a 1974 agreement.

Contrasting US Diplomatic Stance

The military action stands in direct contrast to the diplomatic language from Washington. On Monday, President Trump called for stability, stating it is "very important that Israel maintain a strong and true dialogue with Syria." He praised Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa for working to ensure "good things happen" for both nations, framing the moment as a "historic opportunity... for peace in the Middle East." The immediate continuation of Israeli ground operations suggests a potential disconnect between US diplomatic efforts and Israel's on-the-ground security calculus regarding threats from Iranian-backed militias operating in Syria.

Regional Implications for Türkiye and Stability

The ongoing volatility on the Syrian-Israeli frontier has direct implications for regional security architecture and neighboring states. For Türkiye, which shares a long border with Syria and maintains a significant military presence in the north, any escalation or sustained instability in southern Syria is a matter of strategic concern. Türkiye's policy emphasizes the preservation of Syria's territorial integrity and advocates for political solutions to the conflict. Continued Israeli operations, especially those involving ground forces, complicate efforts to de-escalate the broader Syrian conflict and achieve lasting stability, which remains a key interest for Ankara.