Israeli drones spotted over Syria's Beit Jinn as residents flee renewed military operation

Alsharq Tribune-Ahmed Essam 

Israeli military drones were seen over Beit Jinn in southwestern Damascus on Saturday night, marking the latest in a series of Israeli maneuvers along Syria's border, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported.

The watchdog said the drones conducted low-altitude surveillance while Israeli military vehicles moved around the town's outskirts. No clashes with Syrian government forces were reported, and the purpose of the deployment was unclear.

The observatory described the activity as part of "recurring Israeli operations" in southern Syria, including monitoring, reconnaissance, and the positioning of armored vehicles near the border.

Separately, Syria TV reported that several families began leaving Beit Jinn after hearing Israeli vehicles and spotting helicopters overhead, raising fears of a possible incursion.

There is no immediate response from the Israeli side.

The developments follow one of the deadliest Israeli operations in the area in recent years. Early Friday, Israeli forces carried out a ground raid into Beit Jinn, clashing with local residents. The military then called in extensive aerial support, including fighter jets, drones, and helicopters.

Syrian health authorities said 13 people, including women and children, were killed and more than 24 were wounded. Israeli troops later evacuated injured soldiers by helicopter. The raid also heavily damaged homes and displaced dozens of families to nearby villages.

Earlier Saturday, the observatory reported that an Israeli patrol of two tanks and several vehicles briefly entered the village of Ruwayhina in Quneitra before pulling back.

Syria has repeatedly condemned Israeli military actions as violations of its sovereignty and threats to regional stability. The Syrian government has not yet commented on Saturday's drone flights over Beit Jinn.