All Israel News reports that the Israel Defense Forces (“IDF”) have captured territory along the Israeli/Syrian border and conducted airstrikes in Syria, following the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime and the abandonment of border positions by Syrian soldiers, according to Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar.
Sa’ar stated during a recent press briefing that “the only interest we have is the security of Israel; therefore, we attacked strategic weapons arrays, residual capabilities of chemical weapons, long-range missiles and rockets so that they do not fall into the hands of extremist elements.”
Sa’ar explained that Israel’s creation of a buffer zone, including along the Golan Heights, came after an armed group entered the border area and attacked a post of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in the demilitarized zone.
The All Israel News article may be read in full HERE.
The Associated Press (“AP News”) reports that most of Syria’s cabinet ministers are still working from offices in Damascus, despite rebels entering the city over the weekend – overthrowing (former) President Bashar al-Assad.
Signs of trouble ahead are already apparent, as the rebel alliance now controls much of Syria, under the leadership of Abu Mohammed al-Golani, a former senior al-Qaida militant who severed ties with the extremist group years ago and has promised representative government and religious tolerance.
AP News is also reporting that Russia has granted political asylum to Bashar al-Assad, a decision made by President Vladimir Putin. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on Assad’s specific whereabouts.
The AP News article may be read in full HERE.
My brothers and sisters, the Middle East remains a mess, but through it all, we have the hope found only in Jesus Christ! Let’s pray for God’s will to be done and His continuing protection to rest upon the Jewish people, the state of Israel, and the entire region. Let’s also pray the region would not become further destabilized by al-Qaida terrorists, and especially that access to chemical weapons has been thwarted.
The Bible reminds us that the Jews are God’s chosen people, a special treasure, and that whoever touches (harms) the Jewish people and the nation of Israel, does so at great risk:
Genesis 12:3 (NKJV)
The LORD said to Abram (later Abraham): “I will bless those who bless you, [a]nd I will curse him who curses you; [a]nd in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Deuteronomy 7:6 (NKJV)
“For you [the Jews] are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.”
Psalm 18:30 (NLT)
“God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to [H]im for protection.”
Zechariah 2:8 (Amplified Bible)
“For thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘[a]fter glory He has sent Me against the nations which plunder you—for he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye.’”