Israeli air strikes are believed to have hit Damascus – according to Lebanese and Syrian security sources.
The reports come after rebel forces swept into the Syrian capital overnight, ending the 54-year reign of the Assad regime and sending Bashar al-Assad, dictator since 2000, fleeing.
Explosions were reportedly heard in the suburbs around the south west of the city.
The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) has not yet commented on the reports of strikes near Damascus.
However earlier on Sunday the IDF confirmed its forces were moving into the buffer zone in the Golan Heights – part of Syria that has been occupied by Israel since the 1967 Six Day War.
A spokesperson said: “In accordance with the situational assessment following the recent events in Syria, including the entry of armed personnel into the buffer zone, the IDF has deployed forces in the buffer zone and in several other places necessary for its defense, to ensure the safety of the communities of the Golan Heights and the citizens of Israel.
“We emphasize that the IDF is not interfering with the internal events in Syria. The IDF will continue to operate as long as necessary in order to preserve the buffer zone and defend Israel and its civilians.”
There are suggestions Israel may be taking advantage of the opportunity to destroy weapon and ammunition supplies to prevent them falling into the hands of the rebels or other militias.
Hezbollah, the Lebanese militia which recently agreed a ceasefire with Israel, was a supporter of the Assad regime and had sent assistance to the dictator during the 13-year Syrian Civil War.
However, following heavy losses during its recent war with Israel – which saw Israel detonate pagers remotely to injure hundreds of Hezbollah fighters and assassinate the group’s leader – it was unable to assist the dictator as his army evaporated following lightning offensives by rebel groups that seized key cities across Syria over the past few weeks.
Assad’s other major backers, Russia and Iran, also provided little assistance as rebels overran Aleppo, Homs and Hama – with Russia only carrying out limited air strikes.
Footage emerging from Damascus on Sunday shows prisoners being freed from prisons around the city, people looting Assad’s palace and others celebrating in the streets.
Assad’s location is currently unknown, although Russian sources suggest he has fled the country by air.
