The Israeli Incursions into 'Abidin in the Yarmouk Basin of Southern Syria: Interview
Context, Analysis and Interview with a Local
In the region of the Yarmouk Basin that is located in western Deraa countryside on the border with the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, Israeli forces continue to maintain a presence and recently clashed with locals of the Yarmouk Basin village of ‘Abidin. According to Deraa 24, the tensions began when Israeli forces established an outpost on a hill west of ‘Abidin where the old regime army’s 112th brigade was stationed and then entered into the village and set up a checkpoint on the road leading to the village of Jamla (also in the Yarmouk Basin and south of ‘Abidin). This gave rise to clashes between the Israeli forces and locals. Subsequently, Israeli aircraft bombed the periphery of the village of ‘Abidin, only for Israeli forces to subsequently withdraw from the position set up west of the village.
The incident attracted condemnation of Israeli forces’ conduct by Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, as well as expressions of solidarity with ‘Abidin on the local populist level. For instance, Layth al-Balous, a Druze shaykh known for his pro-government stance, praised the people of ‘Abidin for embodying the ‘spirit of belonging, dignity and adherence to the land’, and commending the people of Deraa as the ‘shield of the homeland’ proving that southern Syria remains an ‘authentic part of Syria’s identity and history.’
Although some might suggest that the clashes in ‘Abidin reflect a supposed attempt by Iran and the ‘resistance axis’ to stir up trouble, the more likely explanation for what happened is that the Israeli presence is understandably seen by many locals as an occupation that should be resisted when it is seen as transgressing certain limits, even if there is a general preference in Syria for the government to pursue negotiations with the Israelis to remove them from the areas of Deraa and Qunaytra governorates they have moved into.
What follows is an interview I conducted with a beekeeper from ‘Abidin on 13 December 2025 about the nature of the Israeli presence in the area. The observations made at the time still remain valid now and provide useful context.
Graphic shared by Layth al-Balous commemorating resistance by people from ‘Abidin to the Israeli forces’ presence (which took the form of stone-throwing by some locals): ‘One people, one homeland, the new Syria. Our dignity is from the dignity of our land.’
Q: Are Israeli forces infiltrating into ‘Abidin, or they have not infiltrated for some time?