IDF spokesman denies Israeli troops have crossed beyond Syria buffer zone

Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent

Israeli soldiers sit on top of a tank along the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Golan Heights from Syria, in the town of Majdal Shams, December 9, 2024. (AP/ Matias Delacroix)
Israeli soldiers sit on top of a tank along the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Golan Heights from Syria, in the town of Majdal Shams, December 9, 2024. (AP/ Matias Delacroix)

The IDF denies reports claiming that Israeli troops are advancing toward Damascus, saying that it is only operating inside the buffer zone on the border between Israel and Syria in the Golan Heights.

“Reports circulating in some media outlets claiming that IDF troops are advancing or approaching Damascus are completely incorrect,” Col. Avichay Adraee, the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesman says on X.

“IDF troops are present inside the buffer zone and at defensive positions close to the border in order to protect the Israeli border,” he adds.

Reuters, citing two regional security sources and one Syrian security source, claimed that troops reached Qatana. It was unclear if the report was referring to the Qatana district, parts of which jut the buffer zone, or the town, which is around 25km from Damascus and east of the buffer zone.

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