Israeli troops clash with armed men in Southern Syria, Multiple gunmen killed

The skirmish took place near the Israeli-Syrian border, specifically close to the village of Kuwaya in Syria’s Daraa Governorate.

The incident occurred when a group of at least seven gunmen opened fire on Israeli troops positioned in the region. In response, the IDF returned fire, deploying tank shells and conducting a drone strike against the attackers. Local Syrian officials confirmed that at least five gunmen were killed during the exchange. However, the IDF confirmed there were no casualties among Israeli troops, with the military attributing this to divine protection, stating “B’chasdei Hashem” (by the grace of God).

The identity and affiliations of the attackers remain unknown, and the IDF is continuing its investigation to determine whether the gunmen were affiliated with any known groups. The region has seen increased tension in recent years, particularly following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024, leading to a heightened Israeli military presence within the buffer zone along the Israel-Syria border.

In addition to the firefight, the IDF made a separate announcement on Tuesday revealing that over the past several weeks, Israeli military units, including the Paratroopers Brigade and the elite Yahalom combat engineering unit, had conducted multiple raids in southern Syria. These operations targeted suspected weapons storage sites and led to the seizure and destruction of significant military supplies, including explosives, mortars, and ammunition.

The operations come as part of Israel’s ongoing efforts to maintain security along its borders and prevent the transfer of advanced weaponry to hostile groups. The IDF remains vigilant and continues its operations to safeguard the nation’s security.