United Nations Security Council extended its peacekeeping mission along the Syrian-Israeli border on Friday, voicing concern over increasing military activities that may threaten the fragile ceasefire between Syria and Israel. The mission has been in place since the 1973 Arab-Israeli War and will continue for another six months, with the UN Disengagement Observer Force staying in the demilitarized zone between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
Recent developments have caused an uproar, especially when a surprise rebel offensive led to the ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad earlier this month. Israel has responded by deploying forces into the “Area of Separation,” a 400-square-kilometer zone patrolled by UNDOF. Israeli officials said the deployment was a temporary and limited measure to secure Israel’s borders but failed to say when their troops would leave.
The UN resolution reiterated the importance of both countries adhering to the terms of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement, which mandates a ceasefire and the absence of armed forces in the demilitarized zone. The Security Council expressed concern that continued military activities could escalate tensions between the two nations, risking the safety of civilians and UN personnel.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that no other military forces except for the UN peacekeepers should remain in the region and asked for an immediate halt of Israeli airstrikes on Syria, which he called violations of Syrian sovereignty.
