ABDIN, Syria — Israeli forces carried out an incursion into the southern Syrian village of Abdin near the Israeli-controlled buffer zone, prompting confrontations with local residents and adding to tensions along the frontier, according to residents, Syrian authorities and the Israeli military's publicly stated security policy.
Residents said Israeli troops and military vehicles entered the village, where some locals attempted to block their advance by placing rocks on roads and throwing stones. Witnesses told the Associated Press that Israeli forces responded with warning fire before shells landed near the village, prompting many families to leave the area amid fears of further escalation.
No independently verified casualty figures were immediately available. Syrian state media reported that the operation formed part of repeated Israeli military incursions into southern Syria, which Damascus says violate the 1974 Disengagement Agreement governing the ceasefire line in the Golan Heights.
Israel has maintained that its military operations in southern Syria are intended to prevent hostile armed groups from establishing positions near its border. Since the collapse of the Syrian government led by Bashar al-Assad in late 2024, Israeli forces have expanded their presence in the U.N.-monitored buffer zone and surrounding areas, describing the deployments as necessary to address evolving security threats.
Syrian interim authorities have repeatedly condemned the incursions and called for Israeli forces to withdraw from Syrian territory, arguing that the operations infringe on the country's sovereignty. The United Nations has also previously called for respect for existing disengagement arrangements along the frontier.
Residents of Abdin said uncertainty has increased in recent weeks as Israeli patrols have become more frequent in villages close to the buffer zone. Many expressed concern that continued military activity could further disrupt farming, transportation and daily life in an area already affected by years of conflict.
Separate reports over recent weeks have described additional Israeli incursions into villages in Syria's Quneitra and Daraa provinces, including temporary checkpoints, patrols and searches. Syrian state media and other regional outlets have reported these operations, while Israel has continued to emphasize its security objectives in the border area.
There was no indication from either side on Saturday that the latest incident had led to broader military exchanges, and the situation around Abdin remained under close observation.
