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Netanyahu Calls for Demilitarization of Southern Syria, Heightening Tensions
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made a decisive call for the complete demilitarization of southern Syria, a stance that could escalate tensions between Israel and the country’s new leadership following the removal of President Bashar al-Assad.
During a recent address to Israeli military cadets, Netanyahu emphasized that Israel will not tolerate the presence of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)—the extremist group responsible for Assad’s ousting—nor the newly established Syrian army in areas south of Damascus. He stated, “We demand the complete demilitarization of southern Syria in the provinces of Quneitra, Deraa, and Suweida from the forces of the new regime,” further asserting that Israel would protect the Druze community in the region.
In a marked shift in Israel’s military posture, Netanyahu indicated that Israeli forces would maintain their presence in the territory seized since Assad’s fall in December, diverging from the previous characterization of Israel’s operations in the Golan Heights as temporary measures intended to safeguard Israeli security.
This change suggests a deeper concern from Israel regarding the new Syrian authorities, whom Netanyahu views as potentially harboring extremist elements capable of posing a threat. Israel initially moved into a United Nations-monitored buffer zone amid fears that the power vacuum left by Assad could invite extremist factions into the Golan Heights area.
The Golan Heights has been under Israeli control since its seizure during the 1967 Middle East War, with subsequent annexation not recognized by the international community—except for a US acknowledgment in 2019. Amidst these geopolitical maneuvers, Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has sought to allay Israeli fears by promising not to use Syrian territory as a launch pad for attacks against Israel and showing willingness to respect the longstanding disengagement agreement forged post-1973 war.
Despite these assurances, Sharaa has demanded Israel’s withdrawal from the buffer zone, reflecting the complexities of navigating sovereignty in a nation fragmented by conflict. Netanyahu’s skepticism regarding Sharaa’s intentions is palpable; he, along with much of the international community, awaits tangible evidence of moderation from the new leadership.
From Sharaa’s perspective, liberating Syria from foreign influences that surged during the civil war is crucial for the nation’s stability and future. The shifting dynamics also indicate a diminishing influence from powers like Iran and Russia, while Turkey’s increasing involvement—particularly its support for HTS—poses another variable in Syria’s post-Assad trajectory.
However, Israel’s military presence could pose an immediate hurdle to Sharaa’s efforts to establish a unified and sovereign Syria. Israeli operations, including ongoing attacks aimed at remnants of Assad’s military capabilities, undermine the new administration’s narrative of a restored state authority. Netanyahu’s stringent limits on Syrian military activity may challenge the resilience of this non-confrontational image that Sharaa aims to project.
As regional players recalibrate their strategies, how they respond to Israel’s demands and the realities on the ground will be crucial in shaping the stability of Syria’s new political landscape.
Source
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