Israeli Forces Remain in Syrian Buffer Zone Following Assad’s Ouster
In a recent development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed that Israeli forces will maintain their presence in a buffer zone within Syria, on the border with the Israeli-held Golan Heights, following the removal of Syria’s President Bashar Assad. Netanyahu stated that the forces will stay “until another arrangement is found that ensures Israel’s security.”
The statement was made at the summit of Mount Hermon, the region’s highest peak, marking an unusual visit by a sitting Israeli leader into Syrian territory, approximately 10 kilometers from the border. Netanyahu recounted his previous visit to the peak as a soldier 53 years ago, emphasizing the strategic importance of the location for Israel’s security.
Israel captured this portion of southern Syria after Assad’s ouster, which has drawn international criticism. The buffer zone, a demilitarized area spanning about 400 square kilometers, was originally established by the U.N. following the 1973 Mideast war. A U.N. force had been patrolling the area since then, but Israel’s recent actions have been condemned as a violation of the 1974 ceasefire agreement.
Defense Minister Israel Katz, accompanying Netanyahu, mentioned plans to quickly establish a fortified military presence in the area, indicating a possibly prolonged stay. Katz emphasized the strategic importance of Mount Hermon, calling it “the eyes of the state of Israel” for identifying threats.
An Israeli military official, speaking anonymously, assured there are no current plans to evacuate Syrian residents from villages within the buffer zone. Meanwhile, a U.N. spokesman highlighted that the advancement of Israeli troops breaches the buffer zone agreement, stressing the need for adherence to these terms.
As the situation unfolds, there has been no immediate response from the insurgent group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which played a key role in Assad’s removal, nor from neighboring Arab states. Israel continues to control the Golan Heights, a territory annexed from Syria in 1967, a move largely unrecognized by the global community except for the United States.
The U.N.’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, led by Tom Fletcher, reported new leadership in Syria committed to increasing humanitarian aid, with support pledged from nearby countries. German diplomats have engaged with insurgent leaders to discuss the political transition, focusing on minority and women’s rights protections, while the U.S. has confirmed direct contacts with the HTS insurgents.
Further complicating regional dynamics, the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces have advocated for a demilitarized zone in Kobani, alongside a restructured security presence under American supervision. Turkey, which supports Syrian insurgents, continues to oppose the Kurdish militia, viewing it as a terrorist threat.
In a grim discovery, over 30 bodies have been found in a mass grave in Izraa, indicative of the brutalities under Assad’s regime. Syrian authorities are now providing resources to report missing persons and secret detention sites.
Diplomatic shifts are also occurring, with Qatar reopening its embassy in Damascus after a lengthy closure, expressing disapproval of the former regime’s policies. France has signaled potential diplomatic re-engagement, while Turkey has also reopened its embassy, marking significant changes in international relations with Syria.
