Israel deploys troops to demilitarized zone with Syria in face of regional unrest

By Zein Khalil

JERUSALEM (AA) - As Syria’s Assad regime came to an end after decades in power, the Israeli army on Sunday deployed forces to the demilitarized zone separating Israel and Syria and established defensive positions to "ensure the security" of the occupied Golan Heights.

In a statement, the Israeli army cited concerns about developments in Syria and the potential for armed groups to enter the demilitarized zone as reasons for the deployment.

The army said the measures were taken to "ensure the safety of residents in the Golan Heights and Israeli citizens" and reaffirmed that it would “not intervene in events in Syria."

The army added that it will "continue to act as necessary to maintain the demilitarized zone and protect Israel and its citizens."

Israeli Army Radio reported that Israel is significantly bolstering its forces in the Golan Heights, including the deployment of the 98th Division along with paratrooper and commando brigades to the Syrian border.

The civil war in Syria has intensified in recent days, with anti-regime groups, led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), making significant advances since Nov. 27.

Anti-regime forces captured Damascus on late Saturday. By Sunday morning, the Assad regime had swiftly lost all control of the capital. Amid speculation that he fled, the whereabouts of the ousted Bashar al-Assad remain unknown.

*Writing by Ikram Kouachi in Ankara