ISRAEL was condemned today for its invasion of Syria in the wake of the fall of its president, Bashar al-Assad, as the United States joined Tel Aviv in widespread bombing of targets within the country.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said yesterday that Israeli forces have seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights, established by a 1974 ceasefire agreement with Syria. 

Speaking from a site overlooking the border between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, Mr Netanyahu said the 50-year-old agreement had collapsed and that Syrian troops had abandoned their positions, necessitating the Israeli takeover as a “temporary defensive position.”

Israel captured the Golan Heights in the 1967 Middle East war and annexed it. The international community, except for the US, views it as occupied Syrian territory.

Stop the War vice-chairman Chris Nineham told the Morning Star: “We condemn the bombing of various sites in Syria.

“Not content with conducting genocide in Gaza, Israel, the US’s main ally in the Middle East, is contributing to the growing chaos and instability in the region.”

Scottish First Minister John Swinney welcomed the fall of what he called “a brutal regime,” but noted that there will “of course be anxiety over what comes next.”

He said: “What I hope for, and what we should all work for, is stability in Syria and stability and peace in the Middle East.

“There are a whole variety of factors that need to be addressed there — a ceasefire in Gaza, [...] political stability in Syria — so the importance of ensuring we have a stable solution is essential in the aftermath.”

Internationally, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry accused Israel of “exploiting the power vacuum to occupy more Syrian territories and create a fait accompli in violation of international law.”

Egypt called for the UN security council to take “a firm position towards the Israeli aggression on Syria.”

The security council was set to meet in closed session yesterday to discuss the crisis, at Russia’s request.

The Arab League issued a statement on Sunday condemning Israel for taking advantage of Mr Assad’s downfall by launching its invasion and accused Israel of illegally seeking to occupy more territory.

The government in neighbouring Iraq called for an open dialogue on Syria, “leading to the adoption of a pluralistic constitution that preserves the human and civil rights of Syrians, and supports cultural, ethnic and religious diversity.”

The statement from government spokesman Bassem al-Awadi said that Iraq understands “the necessity of respecting the free will of all Syrians, and stresses that the security of Syria, the unity of its territories, and the preservation of its independence are of utmost importance, not only for Iraq but also for its connection to the security and stability of the region.”

Iraq further cautioned against “interfering in Syria’s internal affairs, or supporting one party for the benefit of another.”

Meanwhile Israel and the US have carried out attacks against what they describe as “chemical weapons sites.”

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said yesterday that the attacks were to prevent them from falling into the hands of hostile actors.

He told reporters: “The only interest we have is the security of Israel and its citizens.

“That’s why we attacked strategic weapons systems, like, for example, remaining chemical weapons, or long-range missiles and rockets, in order that they will not fall in the hands of extremists.”

Mr Saar did not provide details about when or where the strikes took place, or how chemical weapons dumps could be bombed without risking release of the chemicals.

The US military’s central command said its forces had attacked Islamic State targets in central Syria, to ensure it does not take advantage of the uncertainty.

A senior official in the Biden administration said the US has also been focused on making sure chemical weapons controlled by the new regime, likely led by victorious jihadists Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, are secured.

While there would be no role for ground troops, the official said the US would work to ensure the safety of chemical weapons stockpiles in the country, used on rebels in the past, but did not elaborate on how that would be achieved.

Social media videos showed the air attacks also including the Mezzeh military airport, south-west of the capital on Sunday.

Israel has carried out hundreds of air strikes in Syria in recent years, including at the airport, targeting what it claims are military sites related to Iran and Hezbollah.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based war monitor, reported that Israeli warplanes also targeted warehouses belonging to the Syrian army’s fourth division and another former military site outside of Damascus on Sunday.

Activist group Solidarity with the People Of Turkey further condemned “the Turkish government’s deepening involvement in Syria, including its covert and overt military actions.”

The group added that they stood with the people of Syria and “their right to determine their future, free from outside actors.

“At this critical point, we call for genuine democracy and respect for the rights of all Syria’s citizens and those Syrians who have been forced abroad.”

Executive editor of Black Agenda Reports Margaret Kimberley described Syria as a litmus test, and said “the US, Israel, Turkey and the Gulf monarchies finally succeeded in using terrorists to destroy Syria, a sovereign nation.”

She added: “This is a red line for anti-imperialists.”