The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) estimate that it has destroyed more than 70% of the military capabilities of the already ousted regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria after having attacked some 320 "strategic objectives" from Damascus to Tartus in recent days.
The operation, dubbed "Arrow of Bashan" after the biblical name for the Golan Heights and southern Syria, began on Saturday evening with strikes against Syrian air defenses, the military spokesman said in a statement.
The targets destroyed in the strikes included Syrian air defense systems, missile depots, drones, helicopters, fighter jets, tanks, radars, warships and more, the IDF said.
The warehouses attacked included long-range, cruise and ballistic missiles, among others.
During these waves of attacks, the IDF also reported that its forces attacked several warehouses containing chemical weapons.
Israel has explained that these bombings are to prevent these weapons from reaching the hands of the Lebanese Shiite terrorist group Hezbollah or "any other hostile force" that could threaten them.
They also reiterated that these operations are “temporary and limited” and that they do not plan to get involved in the incidents in Syria.
The IDF has also denied reports on social media that its tanks are advancing toward Damascus, the Syrian capital, and said its forces remain within the demilitarized zone in the south of the country where they were deployed early Sunday morning in response to alleged insurgent attacks.
Defense Minister Israel Katz reiterated that Israeli troops want to create a safe zone - without heavy weapons, and without a permanent Israeli presence - beyond the current demilitarized zone that Israel and Syria agreed to in 1974 in their separation of forces agreement. EFE and Aurora
LEBANON, TAKE NOTE