The Israeli military announced it had sent troops to “other places necessary for its defense” on Sunday. The deployment aimed to secure the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. Furthermore, Israel emphasized that it was not intervening in Syria’s internal affairs.
Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria during the 1967 Middle East war and later annexed it. However, the international community largely does not recognize this annexation, viewing the territory as occupied. A subsequent ceasefire agreement established a demilitarized buffer zone between the two countries, prohibiting military activity from both sides. Since 1974, United Nations peacekeepers have patrolled this area.
Kurdish Leader Hails Fall of Assad Regime
Meanwhile, Mazloum Abdi, leader of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), praised the fall of the Assad regime. He described it as an opportunity to establish a democratic Syria that secures the rights of all its citizens.
The SDF, which controls much of northeastern Syria, has long faced clashes with both the Islamic State and Turkish-backed militias. Consequently, they have been at the forefront of fighting for control in the region.