Referring to Syria's new government as a "regime," Katz said that they "attempted to staff positions and outposts, and the air force struck and neutralized them."Katz added that Israel’s presence in strategic locations in southern Syria would continue indefinitely to prevent any influence from the Islamic Republic of Iran as well as other terrorist attacks that could threaten Israel's security.

Israel works to counter Turkey's growing influence in Syria by lobbying the United States to keep it weak and decentralised, including by letting Russia keep its military bases in the country, Reuters reported on Feb.

Israel is lobbying the US to maintain Syria's weakness and Russian military bases in response to Turkey's growing influence in the region. This move is aimed at preventing a security threat to Israel from Islamist forces backed by Ankara,

The source added that such an allegation is a lie made up by Israel "to cover up its plans regarding Syria after the fall of the Assad regime."