Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the military has taken control of a demilitarized buffer zone in the Golan Heights, citing the collapse of the 1974 disengagement agreement with Syria due to the rebel takeover of the country. The IDF entered the buffer zone and seized positions near it, saying they will not allow hostile forces to establish themselves on their border.
The UK-based war monitor reported that Syrian troops left their positions in Quneitra province, which is part of the buffer zone. The IDF warned residents of five Syrian villages inside the zone to stay indoors until further notice.
The Golan Heights was captured by Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War and annexed unilaterally in 1981. The recent takeover by rebel fighters, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has sparked concern for Israel, which is now trying to calculate what comes next in Syria.
Netanyahu stated that the collapse of the Assad regime offers great opportunity but also significant dangers, and Israel will do whatever it takes to defend its state and border. The IDF seizure of Syrian positions is a temporary defensive measure until a suitable arrangement is found, and Netanyahu emphasized his desire for peaceful relations with the new forces emerging in Syria.
Israel is particularly concerned about chemical weapons allegedly stored by Bashar al-Assad’s regime. With the pace of events in Syria being a major concern, Israel will have to adapt to the changing situation and protect its citizens from potential threats.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c77jrrxxn07o