Israel’s Aerial Campaign Targets Syrian Military Assets Post-Assad Collapse

Israel has intensified its aerial campaign in Syria following the dramatic collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime on Sunday. Israeli forces have targeted key military sites, including air bases and weapons storage facilities, to prevent advanced weaponry from falling into hostile hands. Strikes on Qamishli air base, Shinshar base in Homs, and Aqrba airport near Damascus marked one of the largest waves of attacks on Syrian air bases to date. These operations, along with earlier strikes on chemical weapons facilities and defense systems, have dealt significant blows to the former regime's military infrastructure.

The fall of the Assad regime, an ally of Iran and member of the Axis of Resistance against Israel, has created a volatile power vacuum. Western intelligence reports suggest that Israel has carried out around 300 strikes since Sunday, with the aim of neutralizing Syria's air force and strategic capabilities. Observers believe this could significantly reduce the likelihood of future threats from Syrian soil. A Britain-based war monitor reported over 100 Israeli airstrikes on Monday alone, including on the Barzah research center, suspected of links to chemical weapons production.

Amid the escalating violence, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights noted substantial destruction of military assets, although some of its reporting has faced criticism for inaccuracies. Local witnesses confirmed explosions near Damascus, including strikes on the Qabr Essit Airport and Latakia port, targeting naval and aerial assets. Israeli forces have also taken up positions in the buffer zone on the Golan Heights for the first time since 1974, signaling their readiness to handle any fallout from the regime's collapse.

The United States has also capitalized on Syria's instability, conducting dozens of airstrikes against Islamic State targets. These strikes targeted the group’s leadership and operational bases in central Syria, reflecting a broader effort to counter extremist threats in the region. Meanwhile, international concerns remain over Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the dominant rebel group, which many fear could impose Islamist rule. HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani has attempted to reassure both local minorities and the global community of his intentions to avoid reprisals and external Islamist attacks.

The collapse of the Assad regime after a rapid 10-day rebel offensive marks a pivotal moment in Syria’s 13-year civil war. What began in 2011 as an uprising against Assad's rule has drawn in global powers, spawned extremist factions, and displaced millions. As the conflict enters an uncertain phase, the region braces for new power dynamics and the potential for prolonged instability.