Residents of Syrian villages near the Israeli border are voicing their anger over the presence of Israeli troops in their region, organizing protests against what they fear could become a prolonged occupation. This was reported by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ).
According to the newspaper, some villages in the border area refuse to surrender to Israeli forces, which entered Syrian territory following the regime change in the Arab republic. Community leaders insist they will only hand over control to the forces of the new Syrian government. Protests have reportedly erupted in places like Maariah, where at least one person has been killed in clashes.
Leaders from eight villages in the Quneitra province have signed a joint statement demanding that Israeli forces leave their territories. Locals have expressed frustration over restricted movement and limited access to essential resources such as food, water, and electricity due to the military presence.
"The longer this continues, the greater the likelihood that [the protests] will escalate into armed confrontation," said Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi, an expert on Syria at the US-based think tank Middle East Forum (MEF). He added that Israel's military presence in Syria is fueling fear, resentment, and anger among the local population.
After the regime change in Syria, the Israeli military announced on December 8 that it had taken positions in the buffer zone on the Golan Heights, which has divided Israeli- and Syrian-controlled areas since 1974. This includes control over the eastern side of Mount Hermon.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the deployment as a temporary defensive measure aimed at addressing potential threats from the Syrian side. However, he stated that the troops would remain until Israel receives security guarantees for this border.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Russian Ministry of Defense
Based on TASS materials