Israeli forces reportedly occupy two villages in southern Syria

Israeli forces occupied two villages in the southern Syrian province of Daraa on Thursday, according to Syrian state news agency SANA. The troops entered the villages of Maariya and Al-Arida, setting up checkpoints that hindered the movement of local residents.

Maariya village chief Abedin Muwafaq Mahmoud said Israeli military vehicles entered his area at dawn and were stationed near the eastern entrance, close to a well. He reported that Israeli soldiers inspected both public and private vehicles passing through the area.

The forces subsequently moved towards the entrance of Al-Arida village, where they established a checkpoint and conducted inspections. Mahmoud noted that the military action caused public anger, particularly as it coincided with school examination schedules, resulting in some students arriving late to their exam venues.

Israeli forces routinely conduct operations in Syrian border villages, especially in Quneitra province and also in Daraa province along the frontier. The Syrian government in Damascus considers these Israeli military operations a violation of international law and an infringement on Syrian sovereignty.