Israel Positions Forces in Golan Heights Buffer Zone Following Assad Regime Collapse in Syria
Click to start listening
Tel Aviv, Dec 8 (NationPress) Israel has repositioned its forces in new locations within the buffer zone along the Israel-Syria border in the Golan Heights on Sunday, in response to the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed this action, marking the first deployment of its kind since the signing of the 1974 Agreement on Disengagement.
In a statement posted on X, the IDF noted, "In light of the recent developments in Syria, including the entry of armed individuals into the buffer zone, the IDF has stationed forces in the buffer zone and in various other necessary locations for its defense, to safeguard the communities in the Golan Heights and the citizens of Israel."
This deployment follows a new evaluation of the situation and the potential threat of gunmen entering the buffer zone, as indicated in the post.
"We want to stress that the IDF does not engage in the events occurring in Syria," stated the security forces.
The deployment coincides with significant unrest in Syria. As reported by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a war monitoring group based in Britain, rebel forces entered Damascus early Sunday.
Reports indicate that numerous government troops were observed withdrawing from Damascus International Airport, changing from military uniforms into civilian attire.
Various media sources have claimed that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has fled the nation, though the Syrian presidency asserts that Assad continues to fulfill his constitutional responsibilities in the capital.
Footage circulating on social media from Damascus shows heavy gunfire and congested streets as residents attempt to escape the city. Another clip depicts a statue of Hafez al-Assad, Bashar al-Assad's father and predecessor, being toppled, signifying the regime's downfall.
Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi Jalali addressed the situation via Facebook, expressing his readiness to "collaborate" with any leadership elected by the populace. He also urged citizens to avoid damaging public property.
