Israel deploys paratroopers to Syria in 'defense activities' after fall of Assad

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the deployment is 'temporary'

Anders Hagstrom / FOX News

 

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) deployed paratroopers into Syria to conduct "defense activities" on Sunday, after the fall of former Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime.The IDF said the deployment was meant to "proactively ensure the defense of Golan" amid the instability in Syria. Footage and images show paratroopers and heavily armored tanks deploying to the buffer zone. The move comes as both the U.S. and Israel have struck multiple targets within Syria following Assad's ouster.

 

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said early Monday morning that Israel also conducted strikes on suspected Syrian chemical weapons sites. Assad infamously used chemical weapons on his own civilians when former President Barack Obama was in office. The U.S. and Israel are taking steps to ensure that those weapons do not fall into the hands of the Islamist rebels now in control of Syria.

 

"The only interest we have is the security of Israel and its citizens," Saar said Monday. "That's why we attacked strategic weapons systems...Read more and see video here.