We republish below unofficial translations of two articles first appearing here and here on A Nova Democracia, the Brazilian revolutionary newspaper.
Assad leaves Syria after mercenaries take Damascus; US and Israel launch attacks against the country
Enrico Di Gregorio
The Zionist state of Israel has claimed that it has taken control of the border buffer zone between Israel and Syria.
Bashar Al-Assad, Syrian president, left his country on December 8th, after the seizure of a significant part of Damascus by mercenaries supported by Yankee imperialism who launched an offensive in Syria on November 27.
The offensive quickly engulfed the country. The first important city to be taken was Aleppo, the second largest city in Syria, to the northwest. Then, Hama, in the center, was invaded, shortly before Daraa, in the south.
Near Damascus, US-funded mercenaries seized the city of Homs after Syrian repression forces abandoned the city. In the early hours of 12/8, they invaded Damascus.
US and Israel attack Syria
Yankee President Joseph Biden said the fall of Assad was a “fundamental act of justice” and a “moment of historic opportunity.” The imperialist also claimed dozens of US air strikes in Syria, allegedly against the Islamic State (IS).
Immediately after Assad fled to Moscow, the Zionist State of Israel attacked several points in Syria. Military depots and posts in the governorates of Latakia, Tartus, Tal al-Hara and Izraa. The Scientific Research Center, in Damascus’ security square, was also hit, near the Mezzeh neighborhood.
At the same time, Zionist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the border agreement between Israel and Syria “collapsed” and Israeli state authorities announced the takeover of the region that was protected by the agreement. The agreement, signed in 1974, established a demilitarized buffer zone between Israel and Syria.
Interests
Netanyahu also stated that “this is a historic day in the history of the Middle East. The Assad regime is a central link in Iran’s axis of evil — this regime has fallen” and that “Assad’s fall is the result of our efforts against Hezbollah and Iran”, forces that, according to Netanyahu, are Assad’s main supporters.
Netanyahu’s statement shows how Zionism is interested in the mercenary “insurgency” that has taken place in Syria. More specifically, the Israeli attacks also highlight how the uprising supported by US imperialism favored Israeli interests in the region.
Israel bombs Syria as mercenary groups advance
AND Editorial Board
The head of the Israel Defense Forces, Herzi Halevi, confirmed that military operations in Syria are already underway, with the main focus on expanding ground actions. So far, the rebel groups that make up the new Syrian government have not spoken out in condemnation of Israel’s actions.
On the night of December 7, troops opposed to Bashar al-Assad’s regime entered Damascus after a lightning offensive that lasted less than two weeks. The former Syrian president fled to Moscow with his family, where he received political asylum.
The withdrawal of government forces after short-term fighting highlighted disorganization and fragility in the regime’s defenses against rebel groups such as Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, Levant Liberation Organization) and the Syrian National Army (SNA), formerly known as the Free Syrian Army. Both groups enjoy significant military support from Türkiye and have declared their intention to seek peace with Israel.
On Sunday morning (8), Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali said he was willing to negotiate a transition of power with rebel leaders. The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed that Assad left the country after negotiations with the insurgents and gave instructions for the transfer of power to take place peacefully. As for Russian military bases in Syria, Moscow reported that there are, so far, no direct threats to the security of the installations, but that troops remain in a state of high readiness.
After the rebels took Damascus, Israel intensified its military actions in Syrian territory. Israeli troops advanced into the region close to the Golan Heights, occupying the base of Jabal Al-Sheikh (Mount Hermon), approximately 14 kilometers inside Syrian territory. In addition, Israel issued statements to the populations of Ofaniya, Quneitra, Al-Hamidiyah, Samdaniya Al-Gharbiyya and Al-Qahtaniyah, asking them to remain in their homes.
The Israeli attacks also included bombings in several locations in Damascus, such as the Mezzeh military airport, research laboratories, intelligence offices, as well as the Nawa region, in the south of the country. In total, more than 100 bombings were recorded on December 8th. The Israeli government announced the creation of a “temporary buffer zone” on the border, but local sources suggest that the real intention would be to annex new Syrian territories.
The head of the Israel Defense Forces, Herzi Halevi, confirmed that military operations in Syria are already underway, with the main focus on expanding ground actions. So far, the rebel groups that make up the new Syrian government have not spoken out in condemnation of Israel’s actions.
