Washington calls for close consultation… as 4 Israeli combat unites are in southern Syria

The Israeli military announced on Thursday that four of its combat units are still stationed in southern Syria, while the US Secretary of Defense called for intensive consultation between Washington and Tel Aviv regarding developments in Syria.

The Israeli army said one of its units dealt with threats along the border in the buffer zone between Syria and Israel, and seized Syrian army tanks that were not in use.

The Israeli army stressed in its statement that the main goal of the Israeli operations is to ensure the safety of civilians in northern Israel.

Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari said that after assessing the situation in the northern Golan Heights, Israel decided to raise the level of its operations from partial to full activity in the area.

On the other hand, the US Department of Defense announced that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stressed during a phone call with his Israeli counterpart, Israel Katz, the importance of close cooperation between the two countries on what is happening in Syria.

Austin stressed that Washington is following developments in Syria and supports a comprehensive and peaceful political transition process.

He also stressed that the United States will continue its mission to prevent the return of ISIS to Syria.

In another context, after the rapid advance of the Syrian opposition forces led by Ahmed al Sharaa, the Assad family’s rule that lasted for more than 50 years has come to an end.

President Bashar al Assad has left Syria for Russia, while the world waits to see if the new rulers in Syria will be able to achieve stability.

After the regime collapsed, the Israeli military said it had carried out hundreds of airstrikes in Syria, targeting the bulk of Syria’s strategic arsenal of weapons.

The US Department of Defense reaffirmed the importance of continued consultations between the United States and Israel on the situation in Syria.

The talks between Austin and Katz also addressed efforts to release Israelis held in Gaza, and urged improvements in the humanitarian situation in the Strip.