Israel Bombs Syria and Seizes Territory

RadishRose

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Connecticut, USA
The collapse of the Assad regime has prompted a punishing military response from Israel, which has launched airstrikes at military targets across Syria and deployed ground troops both into and beyond a demilitarized buffer zone for the first time in 50 years.

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Meanwhile, several Arab states have accused Israel of exploiting instability in Syria to execute a land grab.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/10/middleeast/israel-syria-assad-strikes-intl/index.html
 

Had my eyes examined by a Syrian optometry student this morning. Said she'd been here since shortly after the Civil War in 2011. She was completely Western, no hajib so am guessing her family fled one of the areas oppressed by radicals following the CW. She still has family there and said she's trying to keep busy and not think about it. Very smart girl who already has excellent patient rapport. She is a perfect example of why we have an asylum program and why it angers me that so many economic migrants abuse the system by crossing the border illegally.
 
Just watched footage of the release of some of Assad’s prisoners. What kind of demon imprisons toddlers? And some of the women have been in for over a decade. There are men still buried alive in dungeons three levels deep who aren’t yet free because of sophisticated locking systems.
 
Seems to me Israel's on some kind of quest to conquer the world.
Marcy, if you are serious, I must call this out as being ridiculous, and playing into the hands of Anti Semites. Jews controlling the world? SHAME ON YOU. SHONDA. Your name indicates your background.

Words that you have expressed have been in the mouths of Nazi's.
 
Marcy, if you are serious, I must call this out as being ridiculous, and playing into the hands of Anti Semites. Jews controlling the world? SHAME ON YOU. SHONDA. Your name indicates your background.

Words that you have expressed have been in the mouths of Nazi's.
Calling people who criticize Israel anti-Semitic is a great shonda. I didn't say Jews are controlling the world. Yes, I am a Jew, and if not me, then who?
 
@Marcy Sheiner
You said "quest to conquer the world." Same difference, IMO. I criticize Israel, Netanhayu, the Jew next door and the horse he rode in on. Also, did not call you anti semitic, or self hating Jew either. That last one was a joke, lol.
 
As I am sure many of you are aware, I usually avoid posting on world politics, that being said.
Israel has the right to defend herself and eliminate future threats to her survival.
If a country is giving aid to terrorist groups that want to eliminate Israel, they have put themselves at risk of a preliminary strike.
 
Just watched footage of the release of some of Assad’s prisoners. What kind of demon imprisons toddlers? And some of the women have been in for over a decade. There are men still buried alive in dungeons three levels deep who aren’t yet free because of sophisticated locking systems.
That is completely insane and inhumane. I hope the American family who's reporter son has been missing is found. I hope all find their family members alive but I doubt it will happen. I can't imagine the psychological abuse those souls have endured.
 
Seems to me Israel's on some kind of quest to conquer the world.

You’ve got to admit, that seems like a significant exaggeration. Israel doesn’t have the capability to conquer the world, or even the entire Middle East. What it does have is the capacity to neutralize threats close to home – pretty much on its doorstep. Military assets that could fall into the wrong hands and endanger its security.

Syria, post-Assad, remains highly unstable. From what I understand, the current leading faction, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), is classified as a terrorist group by the US and EU, with roots linked to Al-Qaeda. There are still other groups in Syria, like those backed by Iran or connected to Hezbollah, further complicating Syria. It’s unclear whether HTS has consolidated control over Syria’s military assets, including reported chemical weapons. I would say that the uncertainty in Syria makes it predictable that Israel would take action to mitigate risks on its doorstep.

This reminds me of 2021 when the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan. Initially, they presented a moderate face, and other nations were liking what they were hearing, but hardliners soon took over, leading to retribution and authoritarianism, significant restrictions. A similar scenario could unfold in Syria. It might not be an immediate concern, but it could soon become a significant problem for Israel. Preemptively neutralising threats in the form of military installations seems like a logical move under these circumstances. It doesn’t seem like land grab to me, or at least not based on what is being reported at the moment.

I think back to when Britain faced a situation after the fall of France in WWII. Concerned about the French Navy falling into Nazi hands. Britain then seized French vessels, killing a couple of French servicemen in the process. Then soon after when firing upon the French Navy at Mers-el-Kébir to Neutralise them, and killing almost 1,300 french servicemen in the process – and we were allies. It was a drastic and controversial decision, but one that Britain deemed necessary for its own survival. Israel’s actions, although not the same, seem to stem from similar fears, and those consequences for its national security.

When your back is to the wall, some countries feel they have to do drastic things.
 
^^^It's not like Syria was an actual functioning country working to secure a decent existence and future for it's citizens. RU pawn Assad is gone, weapons are gone, navy is gone, ability to produce weapons is gone, Iran and RU defeated and embarrassed.
I'm still wondering about the new administration. Same as the old administration?
 
Let's wait and see how things shake out after the initial euphoria calms down and reality sets in.
Germany has about 200.000 Syrian children in school and 50.000 in trade schools. A total population of 1.2 mio some of which have been in country for 10-15 years.
 
I was watching the news on the DW network from Germany (they have an English version). Many Syrians in Germany are glad Assad is gone, but want to wait to see what type of government will replace him. Some have started very successful businesses in Germany and are reluctant to give up their success. One very young gal had her German passport and was feeling culturally more like a German than a Syrian. Others no longer have any friends or relatives in Syria and don’t want to go back and be alone.
 

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