Israeli army occupies a city near Damascus: HTS watches instead of resisting

Footage published by Arab media showed Israeli military vehicles entering Quneitra while broadcasting announcements via loudspeakers saying, 'Lay down your arms and leave the city.' It was alleged that police affiliated with HTS merely watched as Israeli forces advanced. With the entry of tanks into the city, Al-Baath, which is part of Quneitra, came entirely under Israeli control.

The Israeli army stated that it carried out the operation with the justification of 'creating a security buffer zone.' After taking control of Quneitra, Israel announced that 12 new military bases had been built in the region and that these bases could house thousands of soldiers in total.

It was stated that the Israeli army, which has taken control of a line approximately 20 kilometers from Damascus, is increasing its military presence there and continuing its advance.

Previous statements by the de facto leader of HTS, Ahmed al-Shara (formerly known by the code name Abu Mohammad al-Julani), indicating that he did not want to engage in a direct conflict with Israel, had led to questioning regarding the organization's 'defense policies.' According to Arab media, al-Shara's stance could lead to a split within HTS.

HTS leader Ahmed al-Shara

REACTIONS TO HTS ARE INCREASING

The fact that HTS did not intervene and remained silent during the operation has become the focus of criticism at both the local and international levels.

According to a report in The Economist, it was written that HTS has no plan against this Israeli advance and that unrest is growing within its own ranks.

It was claimed that HTS fighters were waiting for orders, but that no such instructions had been given so far.

The priority of HTS, which seized power in Syria, was to ensure the disarmament of the civilian population and all groups not affiliated with it. The HTS disarmament policy also allowed Israel to advance without facing much resistance

FORMER SOLDIERS FROM THE ASSAD ERA RESISTED

While it was stated that Iranian-backed groups showed resistance against Israeli forces in the clashes in the region, it was noted that some of these groups consisted of soldiers remaining from the Assad era.

Furthermore, it was alleged that HTS did not show active resistance against Israel and that they acted in coordination with Israeli forces at certain points.

Turkey and the United Nations had previously warned against Israel's occupation in Syria multiple times. Despite this, Israel continues its advance in the region.

On the other hand, the silence of the HTS leadership against Israel has also caused a reaction among jihadist groups in Syria. According to the Arab press, HTS may soon face its 'former allies.'

HTS had imposed a condition on former Assad soldiers to surrender their weapons and register with the new administration. It is alleged that some of the former soldiers who went to the 'Reconciliation Centers' have disappeared