Quneitra, southwest Syria – Israeli forces carried out raids in the Quneitra countryside of southwestern Syria early Wednesday, detaining multiple young men, according to our correspondent.
A team of Israeli troops reportedly entered the town of Jibata al-Khashab in northern Quneitra from a newly established military base west of the town. The troops raided a house, arresting seven men from the Maryoud family, including three brothers. A surveillance drone monitored the house prior to the raid.
Syrian state media confirmed the raid, reporting that Israeli forces also searched additional homes in the town. Earlier, a 16-vehicle Israeli force entered the village of Al-Asbah in western Quneitra, set up a temporary checkpoint, and conducted house searches, with drones patrolling the skies.
The raids come amid rising tensions following temporary displacement in Al-Bariqa village on Tuesday after five Israeli artillery shells landed near the area.
The shelling, as reported by our correspondent, coincided with Israeli military exercises on the Golan Heights. Locals reportedly fled their homes for about an hour before returning once the shelling stopped.
Also read: 8 Months of Continuous Israeli Escalation in Syria
Last Wednesday, Israel carried out airstrikes and a glider landing operation targeting military positions near Damascus. Our correspondent reported that strikes on Brigade 44 positions near Al-Kiswah in southwestern Damascus resulted in Syrian army casualties.
A subsequent airborne operation near Jabal al-Mani‘ lasted roughly two hours. Syrian state media noted that Israeli strikes attempted to prevent army personnel from reaching the site, while Syrian forces reportedly destroyed some of the targeted systems and retrieved bodies.
