Expert Comment
Muaz Al Abdullah on Israeli military activity in Syria doubling since the Iran war
ACLED Middle East Research Manager Muaz Al Abdullah comments on increasing Israeli aerial attacks in Syria as ground operations move to Lebanon.
Muaz Al Abdullah, Middle East Research Manager at ACLED, said:
“Israeli military activity in Syria has doubled since the start of the Iran war on 28 February, but the increase is being driven almost entirely by aerial interception events rather than an expansion of ground operations. ACLED records this increase based on a comparison of data from 28 February to 20 March and the same period prior.
“Meanwhile, ACLED data show 79 interception events of Iranian, Hezbollah, and proxy drones and missiles during that time period. Israel’s ground operation — which includes incursions, checkpoints, village raids, and civilian abductions — has continued at a similar pace.
“The focus of ground activity is now increasingly shifting toward Lebanon, with Israeli forces crossing from the Syrian side of Jabal al-Sheikh into Lebanese territory for the first time — an advance made possible by a military build-up that was already well underway prior to the Iran war.”
Note: The initial version of this comment omitted the relevant time period for the statistics. This information has been added for extra clarity.
For an interview with Muaz Al Abdullah, contact the ACLED press office, [email protected].
