Israel 'aggressive' in southern Syria after Bashar's fall

Following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024, Israel has reportedly advanced its military presence into a United Nations-monitored buffer zone in southern Syria. This zone previously separated Israeli and Syrian forces in the Golan Heights region, which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Arab-Israeli War.

Israel's move is viewed as a breach of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, a pact designed to halt hostilities and separate military forces after the 1973 Yom Kippur War. The agreement established a UN-controlled buffer zone. However, Israel has allegedly violated this treaty repeatedly, with recent incursions reported in the Yarmouk Basin area of Daraa province.

Reports indicate that Israeli soldiers, accompanied by military vehicles and a bulldozer, established roadblocks in the villages of Maariya and Al-Aarda. Leaflets were allegedly dropped in the area, warning residents against obstructing military movement. Israeli officials have stated their intention to maintain a military presence in a security zone in southern Syria and to establish a broader demilitarized area.

Both Turkey and Syria have issued strong condemnations of Israel's actions. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan described the incursions into Syrian territory, under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership, as a violation of international law and a significant threat to regional stability. Fidan urged the international community to exert greater pressure on Israel to adhere to the 1974 conflict prevention mechanism.

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Israel's attack targeting Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity is among the biggest threats to the country's stability.