By Mohamad Karkas

 

DAMACUS, 20 May. - (ANA) - The countryside of Quneitra and Daraa, southern Syria, has witnessed further violence in recent hours by Israeli occupation forces, involving artillery shelling and repeated military incursions targeting agricultural areas and populated villages. 

 

The attacks have raised growing concern among residents, who fear an expansion of Israeli military operations and its direct impact on their lives and sources of income.

 

Local sources told The New Arab that Israeli forces shelled agricultural land surrounding the village of Taranja in the northern Quneitra countryside early on Tuesday morning, 19 May, firing three heavy artillery shells. No human casualties or material damage were reported.

 

The sources said the shelling caused panic among residents, particularly farmers who were heading to their fields in the early morning hours. 

 

They added that residents of the area have been living under continuous tension due to repeated Israeli shelling and military incursions across different parts of the Quneitra countryside.

 

The sources added that Israeli military operations have become almost daily, whether through shelling or ground movements. They said this has raised fears among residents of a further escalation in the border area and threatens the agricultural season, which is the main source of income for many families in the region.

 

The latest attack follows a series of Israeli military raids in the area on Monday, 18 May, when Israeli forces targeted agricultural plains in Wadi al-Raqqad near the village of Jomla in the Yarmouk Basin in the western Daraa countryside.

 

This invasion involved two tanks and several military vehicles that advanced toward the start of the valley road, coming from the Tel Abu al-Ghithar gate.

 

In the same context, Israeli forces stationed at Tel Ahmar west of the eastern Tel Ahmar area and its surroundings targeted the area using shells and machine guns, further increasing tension in the region, alongside other military movements in the Quneitra countryside.

 

The sources confirmed that an Israeli patrol, consisting of two military vehicles, crossed on Monday the road linking the village of Ofania and the town of Khan Arnabah in the Quneitra countryside. 

 

An Israeli force later carried out another invasion into the village of Al-Asha, where it raided several homes before withdrawing from the area. No information was available on any arrests.

 

Border areas in the Quneitra and Daraa provinces have experienced months of growing security tension amid repeated Israeli shelling and military movements inside Syrian territory.   - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/20 May 2026 - - -