Mon Dec 09 12:59:00 UTC 2024: ## Israel Denies Involvement in Syrian Conflict, Maintains Readiness for Self-Defense
**NEW DELHI** – Israel has reiterated its non-involvement in the Syrian conflict, stating its focus remains solely on self-defense against potential attacks emanating from Syria, Israeli envoy to India Reuven Azar told NDTV World. Azar attributed the current Syrian situation to a miscalculation by Iran and Hezbollah, asserting that their attacks against Israel have resulted in significant setbacks for the Iranian-backed forces. He claimed that Iran’s regional influence has been severely weakened and that rebel groups are capitalizing on this power vacuum.
Azar emphasized that while Israel is closely monitoring events in the Golan Heights and has taken defensive positions in the 1974 disengagement zone along the border, it is not interfering in Syrian internal politics. The IDF’s presence, he explained, is purely a precautionary measure to ensure Israel’s security following recent attacks in the buffer zone, including attacks on UN forces which Israel has assisted in repelling.
The ongoing Syrian conflict, according to Azar, is a consequence of Iran’s actions, not an Israeli-engineered event. The Assad regime, previously supported by Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah, has largely collapsed with Assad and his family seeking asylum in Russia. Rebel forces, led by Abu Mohammad Al-Jolani of Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), a group with past links to Al Qaeda and ISIS, are currently the dominant force, though without official backing from any major external power. Turkey supports some rebel factions, but not HTS.
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