The Israeli Air Force’s commando unit raided Mount Hermon, located more than 10 kilometers from the Israeli border, without facing any resistance and captured it.
The mountain is almost 8,500 feet in height and overlooks Damascus. The peak is 32 kilometers in aerial distance from the capital of Syria and brings it under effective long-range artillery fire from there.
The Syrian army left the post unattended amid the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s government.
The buffer zone in Golan Heights has also been taken over by Israel, and UN forces that were deployed in the area have sought Israeli assistance to move out.
Netanyahu said, “This is a historic day,” as IDF forces seized control of the Jabal al-Sheikh outpost on the Syrian side of Mount Hermon following the withdrawal of Assad army forces. He added: “The Assad regime has fallen as a direct result of the blows we delivered to Iran and Hezbollah.”
Tactical and Military Analysis:
- Radar Systems: Israel would now be able to deploy radars on Hermon, giving it complete insight into not only Syria but also parts of Lebanon, which it could not access earlier.
- SF Operations: Israeli special forces would now be able to carry out deep operations into Syrian territory stealthily and without hindrance.
- Iran Blacked Out: Iran used to conduct drone surveillance of the area and gather intelligence on Israel from there. This tactical advantage for Iran is now nullified. Israel has made a swift move to not only capture the Golan Heights, including Mount #Hermon, but also the buffer zone to the south.
The town of Damascus is now just 32 kilometers away from a vantage point held by Israeli forces. If radars are placed on Mount Hermon, the entire city will be visible. It will also allow the towns of Lebanon to come under the “electronic eye.”
If required, Israel is now in a position to take over Damascus within 48 hours. There have been some reports of armored columns moving up to the Golan Heights. Additionally, some movements of infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) towards the south have also taken place.
For now, Israel has termed these moves as defensive.
