Israeli Forces Fire Randomly During Withdrawal From Syrian Town
Israeli forces reportedly fired randomly on Wednesday during their withdrawal from the town of Abidin in the western Daraa countryside, southern Syria, following a several-hour incursion that began early in the day. Syrian state media, "Al-Ikhbariya Al-Suriya," reported the incident, stating that "Israeli occupation forces are firing randomly as they exit the town of Abidin in the western Daraa countryside, after their incursion into the town for several hours early today." The report did not provide details on casualties or further specifics regarding the forces' movements within the town.
This incident occurs amidst repeated Israeli incursions into southern Syria, which were addressed by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria in a briefing to the Human Rights Council on September 8. The commission noted that Israeli military activity in southern Syria is increasingly continuous and entrenched, involving ground incursions, patrols, raids, and frequent searches. The establishment of temporary checkpoints and permanent military installations on Syrian territory has significantly impacted civilian life, according to the commission.
The commission also documented that in June 2026, Israeli forces detained 49 Syrians, including two children, who were believed to have been transferred across the border, stating these actions "may amount to war crimes."
During a visit to Syria, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized in a Damascus press conference on July 26 that violations of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity are "unacceptable" and called on Israel to adhere to the 1974 disengagement agreement.
A review by the Anadolu Agency, published on September 14 and based on reports from the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), indicated that Israel had carried out 150 attacks within Syrian territory since the beginning of 2026. Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad stated on September 1 that Syria would continue U.S.-brokered negotiations with Israel despite ongoing Israeli attacks, citing 117 incursions and 147 detentions of Syrians in July and mid-August.
