The Israel Defence Force is beefing up security in the Golan Heights bordering Syria as the rebels advance further towards Damascus. Iran has also evacuated its commanders from the civil war-torn country, leaving the ruling Bashar al-Assad regime high and dry.
This comes as the rebels were reportedly set to drive out the Assad troops from Homs, which is the third largest city in Syria after Damascus and Aleppo. The rebels already recaptured Aleppo, which they lost in 2016. The control of Homs brings the rebel army closer to the Syrian capital of Damascus.
The IDF said it is tracking the developments in Syria and is prepared for any scenario, adding that it will not allow a threat near the country's border.
IDF has targeted several crossings on the border between Syria and Lebanon, including the Arida Crossing and the land routes in al Qusayr area, to stop arms from being supplied to Hezbollah.
Senior commanders in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force were among those evacuated by Iran. The New York Times reported that some of the officials left for Tehran on flights while others headed to Lebanon and Iraq by land. However, Iranian officials said they would send missiles, drones and more advisers to Syria.
Israel and several other world countries fear that the chemical weapons in the possession of the Assad regime might fall into the hands of the rebels, posing threat to the entire Middle East. Iraqi government representative Bassem Al-Awadi said his country see the civil war in Syria as a "red line".
