Israeli warplanes are attacking Syria as the army is reported to be moving deeper into the country

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) – Israel launched heavy airstrikes on Syria as its forces advanced deeper into the country, approaching within 25 kilometers of the capital, a Syrian war monitor said Tuesday.

Associated Press reporters in Damascus heard intense airstrikes overnight and into Tuesday in the city and its suburbs. Pictures circulating online showed destroyed missile launchers, helicopters and warplanes.

There was no immediate comment from the terrorist groups – led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS – that have seized control of Damascus.

Israel had previously seized a nearly 400-square-kilometer (155-square-mile) buffer zone inside Syria that was established after the 1973 Mideast war, a move it says was taken to prevent attacks after President Bashar was overthrown. Assad.

Israel also said it is striking areas suspected of having chemical weapons and heavy weapons to prevent them from falling into the hands of extremists. Israeli officials rarely acknowledge individual strikes.

Israel has a long history of occupying land during wars with its neighbors and occupying it permanently, citing security concerns. Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war and annexed it in a way unknown to the rest of the world, except the United States.

The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which has tracked the conflict since the civil war broke out nearly 14 years ago, said Israel has carried out more than 300 airstrikes across the country since rebels overthrew Assad at the weekend, killing half of his family. -rule of the century.

The Observatory, as well as Beirut-based Mayadeen TV, which has journalists in Syria, said Israeli troops were advancing on the Syrian side of the border with Lebanon. The reports could not be independently verified.

An Israeli military official said the army planned to capture a safe zone inside Syria and “several other points of significant significance.” The official, speaking on the condition of anonymity in accordance with the law, dismissed the reports of a major Israeli attack. attacking it as “rumors.”

Egypt and Saudi Arabia condemned the Israeli attack, accusing it of using chaos in Syria and violating international law.

“The attacks carried out by the Israeli government, including the seizure of the Golan Heights, and the targeting of Syrian territory confirm Israel’s continued violation of international law and its determination to destroy Syria’s chances of restoring its security, stability and territorial integrity,” it said. the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia has been negotiating with the United States in recent years about normalizing relations with Israel in exchange for a US defense treaty, and American assistance in developing a civilian nuclear program and a path to the establishment of a Palestinian state.

But the regime has repeatedly criticized Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip, where it is fighting the terrorist group Hamas. Last month, Saudi Arabia’s crown prince and daily ruler Mohammed bin Salman accused Israel of killing people in Gaza, an accusation Israel wasted no time in.

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Moure reported from Beirut and Lidman from Tel Aviv, Israel.

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