JERUSALEM

The Israeli army claimed on Thursday to have destroyed Syrian army weapons found in the demilitarized zone in the occupied Golan Heights.

A military statement said Syrian weapons and military infrastructure were seized and destroyed in the demilitarized zone it seized last month.

The army claimed that it found an armored personnel carrier (APC) containing numerous weapons, anti-tank missiles, and explosive devices.

“All of the findings were either destroyed or confiscated to prevent them from falling into the hands of hostile elements that could harm the residents of the Golan Heights or IDF (army) troops,” the statement said.

The Israeli army launched massive airstrikes against Syrian military installations after anti-regime forces ousted the Bashar al-Assad regime last month, drawing widespread condemnation for violating Syria's sovereignty.

Israel also declared the collapse of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement with Syria and deployed its military to the demilitarized zone in the Golan Heights, occupied by Israel since 1967.

Recent statements by Israeli officials reflect dissatisfaction with Syria's new administration with media reports and official remarks suggesting that Tel Aviv viewed the Assad regime as a “useful player” and had no interest in its downfall.

Assad, Syria's leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia after anti-regime groups took control of Damascus on Dec. 8, ending the Baath Party's decades-long regime.

The takeover came after Hayat Tahrir al-Sham fighters captured key cities in a lightning offensive that lasted less than two weeks.

A new administration led by Ahmed al-Sharaa has now taken control of the country.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio