Syria offers to host UN forces amid Israeli incursions

DARAMSUQ — Ahmed al-Sharaa, leader of Syria’s transitional government, indicated Syria’s readiness to host United Nations forces in the buffer zone shared with Israel. This offer follows recent Israeli military incursions into Syrian territory, which Syria claims violate the 1974 armistice agreement.

Al-Sharaa emphasized that Israel’s advances contravene the terms of the 1974 disengagement agreement, which established a buffer zone to prevent hostilities between the two nations. He dismissed Israeli justifications citing Iranian and Hezbollah militia threats, asserting that their presence has been eliminated since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

At a joint press conference, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman joined al-Sharaa in condemning Israel’s actions. Abdulrahman criticized the incursions as reckless and called for the immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces from Syrian territory.

Reports indicate that Israeli forces have moved deeper into Syria, reaching the western outskirts of Al-Mallaqa village in Quneitra province. Syrian sources revealed that the Israeli military has constructed a road extending from the border to the Dariyat military point, signaling an effort to expand control in the region.

According to Israeli media, Israel intends to establish a 15-kilometer-wide control zone within Syrian territory, supported by an intelligence surveillance radius extending up to 60 kilometers.

Al-Sharaa’s appeal for international intervention highlights the urgency of addressing escalating tensions. The potential deployment of UN forces in the buffer zone could play a critical role in restoring stability and preventing further violations of international agreements.