Israeli Prime Minister Claims Responsibility for Assad's Downfall

“This is a historic day in the history of the Middle East,” declared Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit to the Israel-Syria border. “The Assad regime is the central link in the axis of Iranian evil. That regime has been toppled. This is a direct result of the strikes we carried out against Iran and Hezbollah, the main supporters of Assad's regime. This has triggered a chain reaction among all those in the Middle East who wish to free themselves from this tyrannical regime.”

According to the Times of Israel, Netanyahu has taken credit for the chain of events that led to the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar Assad. At the same time, according to the Israeli Prime Minister, the downfall of Syria presents both opportunities and dangers.

“We are acting primarily to protect our borders. That area has been controlled by a buffer zone for nearly 50 years, established in 1974 under the framework of a separation of forces agreement. That agreement has been violated, and Syrian soldiers have abandoned their positions,” he said.

According to Netanyahu, he and Defense Minister Yoav Galant instructed the Israel Defense Forces yesterday to seize the buffer zone, adding that Israel would not allow hostile forces to position themselves along its borders.