Sharaa ‘Responsible for Every Threat’: Terrorists in Syria Launch Rockets Into Israel

Latest Developments

• Syrian Rockets Hit Israel: The IDF reported that two rockets crossed into Israeli territory from Syria on June 3 for the first time in over a year. The projectiles triggered alarms in the northern Israeli towns of Haspin and Ramat Magshimim before falling in open areas. In response, the IDF directed artillery fire toward the source of the rockets, followed by airstrikes on weapons sites in southern Syria. Two groups — The Martyr Muhammad al-Deif Brigades, named after the Hamas leader killed by the IDF in Gaza in July 2024, and the pro-Iranian Kataib Awli al-Bass militia — both claimed responsibility for the rocket launches.
• Syrian Leader Blamed: Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared that Syria’s interim president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, was “directly responsible for every threat and [rocket] fire toward the State of Israel.” Meanwhile, Syria condemned Israel’s response as a “blatant violation of Syrian sovereignty.” A statement from the foreign ministry in Damascus added, “Syria has never been and will never be a threat to anyone in the region.” Katz’s statement followed recent reports that Israeli and Syrian officials were holding talks that could lead to Damascus joining the “Abraham Accords.”
• Foreign Jihadists to Integrate Into Syrian Army: The United States gave its approval for the Syrian government to integrate approximately 3,500 foreign jihadists — primarily Uyghur Muslims from China — into the Syrian Army, signaling a departure from previous U.S. demands. The jihadists had bolstered the ranks of the Sharaa-led Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rebel group that deposed former President Bashar al-Assad in December. The newly designated U.S. special envoy to Syria, Thomas Barrack, confirmed the decision, stating that it would be better for Syria’s new administration to keep the “very loyal” fighters than to exclude them.

FDD Expert Response

“The fact that two separate organizations have claimed responsibility for the same attack against Israel underscores the complex nature of the Syrian theater. While the identity of the perpetrators remains unclear, the Sharaa-led government now has an opportunity to demonstrate a genuine shift in posture toward Israel by actively investigating the incident, identifying those responsible, and bringing them to justice.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

“This is another testament to Ahmad al-Sharaa’s failure to fully control all armed groups and ensure that Syrian territory will not be used as a launching point for attacks against Israel. If reports that Hamas was involved prove true, Sharaa must clamp down on all Palestinian factions that operate in Syria — not just the groups that were affiliated with former President Bashar al-Assad.” — Ahmad Sharawi, Research Analyst

FDD Background and Analysis

“Abraham Accords Are Focus of Reported Israel-Syria Talks,” FDD Flash Brief

“Trump Tells Syria to Expel Foreign Fighters, But Sharaa Gives Them Army Divisions,” by Ahmad Sharawi

“New Syria sanctions relief (and risks) explained,” by Matthew Zweig and Max Meizlish

“Nascent Syrian armed group emerges to confront Israeli forces,” by Ahmad Sharawi and Joe Truzman