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HTS Chief Urges Washington to Compel Israel to Pull Out of Syria


Freddie Ponton
21st Century Wire

Israel’s acquisition of the buffer zone, which encompasses approximately 400 square kilometres (155 square miles) of demilitarized territory within Syria, has elicited widespread condemnation. Detractors argue that this action constitutes a breach of the 1974 ceasefire agreement and may represent an opportunistic land acquisition amid the turmoil in Syria following the removal of Assad.

Currently, Israel’s growing presence and control over the Syrian buffer zone are heightening tensions with local villagers and fueling Syrian concerns about potential annexation, a situation that cannot be overlooked by the leader of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Ahmed al-Sharaa.

On December 11, 2024, a report from the Guardian reported that France had urged Israel to leave Syria’s buffer zone after the tomb of ousted Syrian president Bashar al-Assad’s father Hafez was torched in his home town of Qardaha. The statement made by the French Foreign Ministry stated:

“Any military deployment in the separation zone between Israel and Syria is a violation of the disengagement agreement of 1974.”

The Israeli press recently reported that “Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa demanded that the United States force Israel to pull its forces out of the border buffer zone and the Syrian side of Mount Hermon”.

Reportedly, the Israeli officials told Kan, an Israeli outlet, that they have received no official request on the matter.

It is also alleged that the “rebel leader” has asked the US to provide humanitarian aid to the country.

Although Israel insists all actions in Syria, buffer zone or beyond, are for ensuring the country’s security, the recent capture of the he Al-Mantara Dam in Southern Syria, has raised serious concerns regarding the motives behind the Israeli Hydro‐Hegemony.

Analysts suggest that by controlling key territories, Israel aims to influence the eventual post-Assad settlement, potentially leveraging the situation to extract guarantees for its security, while others see Israel’s land grab as part of a covert planning operation for a potential strike on Iran.

Reports have emerged about Golan Heights villagers complaining about their homes being raided during Israeli security operations which increases tensions in many villages in the area. Syrians worry that the IDF move may mean more annexation of their land. Israel forces are yet to issue an official statement on their dubious activities in these villages, as Israel is close to de facto taking control of the entire buffer zone between the Israeli Golan Heights and the Syrian region of Quneitra.

Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)  leader Ahmed al-Sharaa’s change of tone, is a clear indication that Israel is expected to withdraw the buffer zone and the US, who is reportedly considering formal recognition of Syria’s new leadership, knows that they would have to trade carefully on this issue, before things get out of hand.

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