Israeli Troops Face Civilian Resistance During Incursion into Southern Syrian Town

DAMASCUS: Israeli troops encountered resistance from local residents after entering the southern Syrian town of Abdin near the Israeli-controlled buffer zone, highlighting growing tensions in the border region amid continued military incursions.

According to local residents, Israeli military vehicles entered the town on Sunday, prompting villagers to block roads with rocks while some young men and boys threw stones at the advancing troops. Witnesses said Israeli soldiers initially fired warning shots before shelling parts of the village with artillery. No casualties were reported, but the incident forced many residents to flee their homes.

Residents said Israeli forces have been conducting regular patrols and raids in the area, searching homes and creating an atmosphere of fear among civilians. Many expressed concern that the latest confrontation could lead to more frequent military operations in the coming days.

Israel seized control of the U.N.-patrolled buffer zone in southern Syria following the fall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, describing the move as necessary to protect its border from militant threats. Israeli officials have since indicated that they intend to maintain a long-term military presence in the area.

The Syrian interim government condemned the latest Israeli incursion and renewed its call for Israel to withdraw from the buffer zone. The clashes in Abdin came less than 24 hours after the Israeli military announced it had killed armed men in southern Syria, saying they posed a threat to its forces, although further details were not disclosed.