Saudi report: Israel and Syria were close to war last week
The Saudi newspaper 'Al-Majalla' reported that Israel and Syria were close to war last week, until the intervention of the US and Gulf states that mediated 'loose understandings' and prevented escalation. The background: tensions in Suwayda and Israeli military activity in southern Syria.
The Saudi newspaper 'Al-Majalla' reported that Israel and Syria were close to deteriorating into a direct military confrontation last week, against the backdrop of tensions in southern Syria and fears of an outbreak in Suwayda. According to the report, on October 20, the US and Gulf states entered urgent mediation efforts, which led to 'loose understandings' and prevented immediate escalation. It was further claimed that Damascus began sending reinforcements to the contact lines around Suwayda, after receiving information about preparations by Druze elements affiliated with Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri to target regime assets. In Damascus, it was assessed that such a move was intended to bring about Israeli intervention. The tensions come against the backdrop of the stalemate in US-mediated security talks between Israel and Syria, particularly around Israel's demand for a humanitarian corridor to Suwayda. The article notes that Syrian concern is not based solely on assessments, and mentions an operation by Israeli forces in the village of Jamla in the Daraa Governorate, in which a local resident was killed. Damascus does not confirm the claim that war was imminent.