The IDF denied that Israeli forces were advancing toward Damascus

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) denied reports of an advance toward Damascus. This was reported by The Times of Israel on December 10.

Earlier in the day, Al Mayadeen TV channel reported that Israeli tanks moved beyond the buffer zone along the border with Syria and reached the outskirts of Damascus. It was specified that the equipment was spotted near the village of Katana, located in southern Syria, about 20 kilometers from the capital.

"Reports <...> that the IDF troops are advancing or approaching Damascus, is completely untrue," - stated in the material.

It is specified that the Israeli army is present inside the buffer zone, as well as in defensive positions near the border.

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The day before it was reported that the Israeli army struck the largest airbases in Syria. The Arab Republic's Foreign Minister Bassam Sabbagh said Damascus would notify the UN Security Council about Israel's violation of the country's sovereignty. Iran called on the Security Council to respond to the military incursion, which the Israeli Foreign Ministry called temporary.

Before that, on December 8, after talks with the opposition, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad resigned as head of state and left the country, instructing a peaceful transfer of power. Then the coalition of revolutionary and opposition forces of Syria announced to work on the formation of a transitional authority. The current Government of the country expressed its readiness to hand over its powers.

Against this backdrop, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the termination of the demarcation agreement with Syria, and the IDF deployed forces along the Syrian border under the pretext of ensuring the security of communities in the Golan Heights and Israeli citizens.

The situation in Syria escalated following a major attack by militias in Aleppo and Idlib, which began on November 28 and led to a Syrian army response against the militants.