Netanyahu: Southern Syria Must Stay Demilitarized, No Syrian Forces Allowed

(MENAFN- Khaama Press) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that southern Syria must remain“demilitarized” and that Israel will not allow Syrian forces to be present in the region. He emphasized that Israel would not tolerate the presence of groups like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham or any forces aligned with the new Syrian government in southern Syria.

Netanyahu's statement specifically mentioned the regions of Quneitra, Daraa, and Sweida, where he called for complete demilitarization. He stated that Israel would not allow Syrian military forces or extremist groups to operate in these areas, which are close to the Israeli border.

Following the Syrian conflict, Israel deployed its troops in the UN-monitored demilitarized zone inside Syria. The Syrian government has since called for the withdrawal of Israeli forces, claiming that Israel's presence violates international agreements.

In response to these developments, Netanyahu criticized the“hostile” approach of Bashar al-Assad's regime towards Israel. He recalled that Syria had previously attacked Israel and allowed other nations, including Iran, to use its territory for hostile actions, such as arming Hezbollah.

Netanyahu also stressed the importance of protecting the Druze minority in southern Syria, asserting that Israel would not tolerate any threats against this community, which exists in both Syria and Israel. He emphasized Israel's commitment to ensuring the safety of the Druze people in the region.

Additionally, Netanyahu pointed out that the group ruling Syria, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has been previously associated with al-Qaeda and is recognized as a terrorist organization by the UN and several Western countries. He highlighted that recent efforts by Syrian officials to assure the protection of ethnic and religious minorities should be closely monitored.

The rising tensions between Israel and Syria over military presence and territorial disputes continue to fuel the complexity of the region's political landscape. The situation is further exacerbated by the ongoing involvement of multiple international actors, including Hezbollah and Iranian-backed forces, complicating any potential resolutions to the conflicts in Syria and the broader Middle East.

On February 5, Ahmad al-Shara, the transitional president of Syria, emphasized that with the withdrawal of Hezbollah and Iranian forces from Syria, there would no longer be any justification for Israel's military presence in the country.

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