"We will not allow hostile forces to establish themselves on our borders": The Chief of Staff with a sharp message
Against the backdrop of increasing Turkish involvement in Syria, Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir toured the south of the country and clarified that the IDF is monitoring the changes in the arena. According to him, Israel will act to prevent not only terror threats but also the formation of a significant military threat on its border: "We will know how to use our power where it is needed and when it is needed."
The Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, delivered a sharp message today (Wednesday) against the backdrop of developments in Syria and the concern in Israel regarding the establishment of hostile forces in the country, and in particular the deepening of Turkish involvement. During a tour in southern Syria, Zamir clarified that the IDF is monitoring the changes in the arena and will not allow the formation of a significant military threat near Israel's border.
"We see what is happening and are monitoring the changes on the Syrian front - we must prepare for them accordingly. We will not allow hostile forces to establish themselves on our borders and we will know how to use our power precisely where it is needed and when it is needed."
The Chief of Staff's words come against the backdrop of the concern in Israel regarding military establishment in Syria and the possibility that advanced weaponry will reach the Syrian army with the assistance of foreign countries, led by Turkey. In Israel, they are especially monitoring moves that could in the future limit the freedom of action of the Air Force in the skies over Syria and change the balance of power in the arena.
Zamir emphasized that from the IDF's perspective, the mission is not limited to preventing the activity of terror organizations along the border. "We must prevent the development of terror threats, and at the same time prevent the formation of a significant military threat to our borders," he said.
"We have created a forward defense space in Syria"
The Chief of Staff visited the 210th Division, where he held an operational situation assessment and toured southern Syria. He met with reserve soldiers stationed in the field and spoke with them about the activity in the sector. According to Zamir, the IDF's activity beyond the border is intended to create an additional layer of defense for the northern communities. "Also in Syria, we have created a forward defense space that serves as a buffer in front of the communities, and in it our forces are operating," he said.
The Chief of Staff also addressed the possibility of deterioration in the Syrian sector as part of the multi-front war. "We are operating in a multi-front reality, in which the challenges are constantly changing and developing - the Syrian arena is one of them," he said. According to him, "We are still in a multi-front war, alert and operating in all arenas. Escalation can develop in any of them and we must be in constant readiness for this."
During the tour, Zamir praised the activity of the reserve forces in the sector, some of whom have accumulated hundreds of days of service since the beginning of the war. "The division is doing excellent work. I want to express great appreciation to the reserve forces that are here," he said. "I met here a high-quality and professional reserve battalion, reservists who have done hundreds of days since the beginning of the war."
Zamir added: "You were drafted for a long period, I am aware of the heavy burden placed on your shoulders, I appreciate your work and am doing a lot to ease the burden, on you and your families. The entire people of Israel owe you a lot."
