Israel Assists UN Forces in Syria to ‘Repel’ Attack

Latest Developments

• IDF Helps Defend UN Post in Syria: The IDF said on December 7 that it assisted the United Nations in “repelling” an attack by armed gunmen on a UN post in Syria. According to the IDF, the UN position that came under attack is located near the Syrian town of Hader, close to the Israeli border and the Israeli town of Majdal Shams.

 • Israel Bolsters Forces in the Golan, Keeps Watch on Syrian Rebels: IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi visited the Israeli border with Syria on December 7 and said the IDF was monitoring the ongoing Syrian rebel offensive to ensure that “they don’t turn in our direction.” He added, “the main emphasis is to see the Iranian exit [from Syria].” On December 6, the IDF said that it was reinforcing troops in the Golan Heights region in response to the developments and that Israel was “prepared for all scenarios, offensive and defensive alike.”

• Anti-Assad Rebel Offensive Converges on Damascus From North and South: The attack on UN forces came as southern Syrian rebels gained ground in their northward push towards the Syrian capital of Damascus on December 7. As these rebel groups advanced, fellow Syrian rebel Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) continued its offensive from north of Damascus on December 6 and 7, with the fighting now centralized in Homs, the most recent regime stronghold to be taken in the lightning-fast offensive. Thousands of civilians reportedly evacuated Homs on December 6 before the HTS-led rebels arrived, fearing that their city would fall quickly.

FDD Expert Response

“The United Nations spends endless hours condemning Israel, yet when its own staff come under fire, it’s the IDF they turn to for rescue. Hypocrisy in action.” — Mark Dubowitz, CEO

“As the likelihood of Assad losing control over Syria grows, Israel’s primary concern centers on whether Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and its allies will respect Israel’s territorial integrity. Nevertheless, appealing to jihadist groups to refrain from attacking Israel is likely a futile endeavor. Armed factions may compel Israel to establish red lines, reinforcing the message that the Jewish state is not the Syrian army and will not tolerate any threats that breach the buffer zone between the two countries.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

“As the Syrian regime is collapsing, there are elements who are seeking to take advantage of the vacuum in power near the Golan to carry out attacks. The IDF assisted UN forces who came under attack near the border. This illustrates the important role of the IDF in providing security and preventing terrorist groups trying to exploit the Syria crisis for their own ends. It also shows the vital role the IDF plays in protecting the border and providing stability in an unstable and uncertain time.” — Seth J. Frantzman, Adjunct Fellow

FDD Background and Analysis

“Hayat Tahrir al-Sham-Led Rebel Offensive Gains Ground in Syria as Islamist Coalition Nears Third-Largest City,” FDD Flash Brief

“Israeli defense officials meet as Syrian regime loses ground to rebels,” by Seth J. Frantzman

“Iran faces setbacks in Syria as proxies weaken, struggles to support Assad regime,” by Seth J. Frantzman

“Syrian Rebel Forces Take Aleppo in Lightning Offensive,” FDD Flash Brief