Israel confirms night raid in southern Syria aimed at halting arms trafficking

The Israeli military has confirmed that it carried out a night-time operation in southern Syria, targeting a suspected arms trafficking network near the border.

The operation, conducted in the village of Tauranga, aimed to prevent the transfer of weapons to hostile groups operating in the region, Caliber.Az reports, citing Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

According to a statement, the raid was based on “intelligence and preliminary observations” that led to the detention of an alleged arms dealer.

“Based on intelligence and preliminary observations, the dealer was detained and interrogated, and troops seized weapons found in the area,” the IDF press service stated.

The military confirmed that units from the IDF’s 210th Division remain stationed along Israel’s northern frontier and continue to conduct operations designed to prevent the entrenchment of terrorist elements within Syrian territory.

According to the IDF, such operations are part of a broader effort “to protect the peaceful citizens of the State of Israel, especially in the Golan Heights.”

To recap, a special operations unit of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reportedly carried out a covert ground operation in the southern Syrian province of Quneitra, targeting the village of Tauranga.

Sources claim that approximately 100 Israeli special forces soldiers were involved in the incursion, which focused on conducting a comprehensive sweep of residential buildings and other structures within the village.

The objective was reportedly to locate hidden weapons stockpiles and ammunition depots believed to be connected to militant groups.

The area has long been known for the presence of radical Palestinian factions and pro-Iranian Shiite militias, whose activities have drawn increasing scrutiny from Israeli intelligence in recent months.

According to the report, the Israeli unit detained at least one local resident before withdrawing from Syrian territory.

By Vafa Guliyeva