TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — dramatic downfall The inauguration of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad poses potential dangers and opportunities for neighboring Israel.
after fighting War on multiple fronts Israel has been concerned for months that the unrest in Syria could spill over into its territory. Israel also sees the end of the Assad regime as an opportunity for chaos. Iran’s arms smuggling capabilities Via Syria, he joined the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
Over the weekend, Israeli forces began seizing control of Syria’s demilitarized buffer zone, which was created as part of a 1974 ceasefire between the two countries. The country said the move was temporary and aimed at securing its borders.
But the invasion sparked condemnation, with critics accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire and possibly taking advantage of the chaos in Syria to seize land. Israel still controls the Golan Heights, which it captured from Syria during the 1967 Middle East war and later annexed, a move that is not recognized by most of the international community.
take a look here recent developments Along the Syrian border.
Where is the Israeli army?
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israeli forces were moving to seize control of a demilitarized buffer zone of about 400 square kilometers (155 square miles) inside Syrian territory. The buffer zone between Syria and the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights was created by the United Nations after the 1973 Middle East war. About 1,100 United Nations troops have been patrolling the area since then.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who visited the top of a hill in the Golan Heights overlooking Syria on Sunday, said the move to Israel’s buffer zone was necessary as a “temporary defensive position” as the Syrian army had abandoned its positions.
“(UNDOF) peacekeepers have informed the Israeli side that these actions are a violation of the 1974 Withdrawal Agreement and that there should be no troops or operations in the breakaway areas,” the UN said. Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said, adding that the buffer zone was peaceful and UNDOF peacekeepers remained in their positions. It is scheduled to meet for special consultation.
The rebels who ousted Assad and now control much of Syria are led by Former Al Qaeda extremist leaderBut he severed ties with extremist groups several years ago, pledging representative government and religious tolerance.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday night that Assad’s ouster was “a direct result of the heavy blows we inflicted on Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran.” He added that Israel would occupy the summit of Mount Hermon, the highest peak on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean, at 2,814 meters (9,232 feet), within the Syria-Lebanon border buffer zone.
Israel has deployed both ground and air forces to the buffer zone, which includes the Syrian side of the snow-capped Mount Hermon, which is divided between the Golan Heights, Lebanon and Syria. Only the United States recognizes Israel’s control of the Golan Heights.
How long will Israeli forces be in the buffer zone?
Israeli forces began moving into the buffer zone on Saturday. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said armed groups also attacked United Nations forces near the border with Israel on Saturday.
Referring to Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip in 2023, Saar said, “(Israeli forces) have targeted specific areas near the border to prevent the October 7 scenario by Syria.” “We took control of the situation,” he said.
Many in the region condemned the move. Egypt’s Foreign Ministry accused Israel of “taking advantage of the power vacuum… to occupy more Syrian territory and create a fait accompli in violation of international law.”
This is not the first time Israel has entered a buffer zone this year.
Associated Press coverage last month Examine satellite images Israel has been working on a probable new road construction project along its border with Syria since the beginning of July, and in some cases found itself entering the buffer zone during construction. In response to the Associated Press report, the United Nations Forces warned: Israeli military committed ‘serious violations’ Regarding the ceasefire agreement with Syria.
Is Israel invading Syria?
Israeli political and military leaders have stressed that the occupation of the buffer zone is temporary and not a prelude to entering other parts of Syrian territory.
“The current plan is that this is a temporary measure to ensure border stability, secure a buffer zone and allow UN troops to be stationed,” said a military official who spoke on condition of anonymity. . In line with military guidelines.
The same official said in 2014: UN peacekeepers flee from buffer zone after al-Qaeda-affiliated Syrian rebels attacked their camp. After militants attacked U.N. forces last weekend, officials said Israel wanted to prevent a repeat of the situation.
Kermit Valensi, a senior fellow at the National Security Institute think tank in Tel Aviv, said Israel is not currently preparing to change its borders or invade Syria.
“At this point, this is a tactical operation and not a long-term strategy in response to the dynamic situation in Syria,” she said. With the Syrian army collapsing, Israel has said it wants to protect its borders until the situation stabilizes.
What are Israel’s interests?
Israel says its immediate goal is to prevent instability in Syria from spreading to its border areas.
Defense Minister Israel Katz on Monday outlined Israel’s plans for the border area. After taking control of the buffer zone, Israel will destroy heavy artillery throughout Syria and prevent Iran from smuggling arms into Lebanon through Syria, creating a “security zone” beyond the buffer zone. ” will be established.
Foreign Minister Saar said on Monday that Israel had attacked several sites in which it holds chemical weapons and long-range missiles to prevent them from falling into the hands of hostile forces. Mr. Searle did not say when the strike occurred. Analysts said Israel is likely to continue its attacks on targets across Syria.
Israel plans aid to Syria Druze populationa close-knit religious minority that also lives in Israel, Jordan, and Lebanon, and maintains certain ties across borders.
Valensi said Israel is also trying to open lines of communication with Syrian rebels to prevent Iranian-backed forces from retaking any territory.
For years, Israel has secretly provided food, medicine, clothing and other aid to war-torn southern Syria. “Operation Good Neighbor” With more than 4,000 wounded and sick Syrians being treated in Israel or in Israeli field hospitals, these non-diplomatic connections could be important in the future.
___
Associated Press writer Edith M. Lederer contributed from the United Nations.
