IDF Discovers Weapons in Southwest Syria Amid Heightened Security

Israeli combat engineers, paratroopers, and the Egoz Unit, operating under the IDF's 474th Brigade, made a significant discovery in the buffer zone in southwest Syria. Israeli forces found anti-tank missiles, military vests, and other equipment while enhancing security in the region to protect residents of the Golan Heights, the IDF reported on Friday. The military emphasized that its primary concern is safeguarding civilians and securing the Golan Heights, with no involvement in the ongoing conflict within Syria.

Colonel Bani Qata of the IDF stated, "We have no interest in anything currently happening in Syria – except for carrying out the mission of protecting the residents of the Golan." This operation highlights Israel's ongoing commitment to ensuring the security of its northern border, particularly in the aftermath of shifting dynamics in Syria.

Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered military personnel to prepare to maintain a presence on Mount Hermon throughout the winter. Katz stressed the strategic importance of holding this peak, which provides a clear view of the Syrian capital, Damascus.

Meanwhile, as the civil war in Syria continues to evolve, tens of thousands of Syrians, mostly Shi'ite Muslims, have fled the country, seeking refuge in Lebanon. Many of these refugees are escaping threats of persecution, despite assurances of safety from the new ruling factions in Syria. The Sunni Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which has emerged as a dominant force in the wake of Bashar al-Assad's fall, controls significant parts of the country but has not been able to provide protection to all minority groups.

At the Lebanon-Syria border, Shi'ite refugees have described being targeted by threats on social media, forcing them to flee. Many recount harrowing experiences, including forced evacuations at gunpoint and the looting of homes. "We left everything and fled," said one Shi'ite refugee from Damascus.

While HTS has vowed to protect these communities, sectarian divisions still run deep, and many fear for their safety. However, there are also signs of hope. In northern Syria, some minority groups are returning to their homes, feeling confident under HTS's rule. HTS has worked to restore security and rebuild essential services, offering some stability for the returning populations. Despite this, many remain cautious, uncertain about the long-term implications of Syria's shifting power dynamics and the growing Sunni influence in the post-Assad government.