Israel’s war to erase Syria
Israel’s War to Erase Syria
On Tuesday, a declaration from Tel Aviv took on a grim tone. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stood before a crowd of allies and stated: “The conflict will persist until hundreds of thousands of Gazans depart, and Syria is split into separate entities.” His remarks, disseminated widely online, dismantled any lingering illusions. Israel’s military actions are not solely about “security” or “terrorism”—they are a deliberate effort to reshape borders, displace communities, and rewrite the past.
The Historical Tapestry Under Fire
In April, Israeli warplanes once again pierced Syrian skies, launching a relentless barrage of missiles at both military installations and civilian areas. The strikes spanned from central airfields to the southern regions, where ground forces inflicted casualties near the city of Nawa, claiming nine lives.
The official rhetoric from Israel has consistently framed its actions as “defence” and “pre-emption.” Yet, the underlying motive reaches deeper, touching the very fabric of cultural memory. By attacking Nawa, Israel targeted more than a town—it struck at the heart of a Muslim legacy. The city is the birthplace of Imam al-Nawawi, a scholar whose influence resonates across centuries and continents. His intellectual contributions, preserved in the annals of Islamic thought, remain revered from Cairo to Kuala Lumpur. Bombing Nawa signifies a direct assault on this lineage of wisdom.
Legacy of Resistance
Just beyond Nawa stands Tell al-Jabiyah, where Caliph Omar ibn al-Khattab once stood. Having traveled from Madinah, he received the keys of Jerusalem from local leaders. The hill’s stones still hold the echoes of their footsteps, a testament to its sacred role in history. This land is not merely holy—it is a cornerstone of Arab and Islamic continuity.
Further south and east, the birthplace of Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah, a revered jurist and theologian, lies in Izraa, Daraa. Likewise, Ibn Kathir, the celebrated historian of Al-Bidaya wal-Nihaya, emerged from the village of Majdal near Bosra. Houran, this region, has long been a cradle of scholarship, fostering a civilization that transcended borders, sects, and empires. Its soil is not just earth—it is a repository of resistance, conquest, and renewal.
History also marks the Yarmouk River banks as a site of pivotal victory. In 636 AD, Khalid ibn al-Walid led Muslim forces to a decisive triumph against the Byzantines, altering the course of global history. Waging war here is not merely an act of territorial aggression—it is an attack on the essence of Arab and Islamic identity.
Strategic Ambitions Reveal Themselves
Since the collapse of the Assad regime on 8 December 2024, Israel has escalated its assaults on Syria. Hundreds of aerial strikes have devastated military infrastructure, air defence systems, and storage facilities. The stated reason: distrust in the new transitional government. Yet, the timing and scale of these operations hint at a more calculated plan.
Just one day after Assad’s retreat to Moscow, Israeli leaders outlined their goal of establishing a “sterile security zone” spanning 400 square kilometres—larger than the Gaza Strip. Forces have now occupied positions along Mount Hermon, disregarding international law. While officials initially suggested temporary control, they have since abandoned that pretense.
“We will remain,” declared Defence Minister Israel Katz, standing atop the mountain. “We will guarantee demilitarization of the southern region and safeguard the Druze community from perceived threats.”
The invocation of minority protection is a calculated narrative. The Druze of Palestine, long enlisted in the Israeli military, have fought for a state they once believed would grant them equality. Yet, they now find themselves treated as second-class citizens within their own territory. Israel’s campaign, therefore, is not just physical—it is symbolic, aiming to erase the region’s historical and cultural foundations.