Putin as well as Iran gave up Assad, not because they wanted to they had to Russia's war in Ukraine is not going well without the former Wagner Group who were also their enforcers in Syria and Africa. African dictators are now also worried and may go back to the West.
True, the writing was on the wall that Assad's government was not salvageable and gave up their friend Assad 1. though Putin already had other resources stationed in Syria 2. as for Iran, after the Israeli strikes, they may have little to no resources left 3. also they would have to fight not just HTS but perhaps Turkey as well
It appears, Putin was already cultivating new relationships in the region and to have done the unthinkable striking a deal with his friend Assad's enemy
Iran and Lebanon, both backers of Assad, were also fighting battles of their own, with Israel's relentless decimation of their strongest rebel force, Hezbollah, in recent months
Israel's dominance in the region won't go unchallenged
The actions of Yemen's Houthis in the Red Sea have been disruptive to global trade
From an ideological standpoint, they also show the United States and its allies that Israel's dominance in the region won't go unchallenged
From: Reuters December 17, 2024 US says airstrike targeted Houthi command and control facility in Yemen
The US military says it conducted an airstrike against a command and control facility operated by the Houthis in Yemen.
“The targeted facility was a hub for coordinating Houthi operations, such as attacks against US Navy warships and merchant vessels in the Southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden,” the US military’s Central Command says in a post on X
From: The Guardian December 17, 2024 Assad denies planning to flee Syria before evacuation by Moscow
Former Syrian leader claimed he wanted to stay and fight but left after Russian airbase came under attack
The former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad has said he had no plans to flee Syria before being evacuated by the Russian army after its base in western Syria came under attack.
From: Al Jazeera December 15, 2024 Israel bombs military sites, destroy roads in Quneitra
Israel’s air force carries out 61 missile attacks on military sites across Syria while ground troops destroy roads, power lines and water networks in southeastern Quneitra
Syria’s de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa condemns Israel’s land grabs and ongoing attacks, but says the country is too “exhausted” for a new conflict
From: Haaretz December 12, 2024 Sinwar Liberates Syria While Saving Netanyahu
How the deadly Hamas assault has led to Israel's demolition derby in Syria – and a bitterly ironic rehabilitation for the prime minister's party in the polls, as Defendant Netanyahu testifies in court
He seems a pragmatist, measured language, no longer 'terror oriented terrorist' and no dramatics!
Israel may have missed an opportunity to cultivate Syria-HTS neighbourly peaceful co-existence?
What says you?!
1. Did Israel miss their chance? in not giving HTS a go? 2. one less enemy 3. HTS "leopard never changes its spots"
Israel is being proactive with HTS ensuring Syria does not become a base for another Islamist terrorism True -- they can rearm themselves via the terror routes but it would take time after Israel decimated most if not all the tunnels
While the immediate threat eliminated, these terrorists and no longer 'terror oriented terrorists' bounce back, becoming proxies of the “Axis of Terror” “Axis of Resistance” “ring of fire” against Israel
Once a terrorist... Islamist elephant never forgets -- They have the same motto as Mossad
Originally Posted by Kangaroo Don
Mossad's legendary Operation Wrath Of God "A reminder we do not forget or forgive" Traitors' Revenge is a dish best served with extra Wrath
The West supported extremist muhadjideen in Afghanistan against the Russians we see now the same with HTS. In the past it created Al Qaeda let's hope these guys do not turn in the enemy of the West.
"The king is dead, long live the king!"
Re: Israel: 'State of war'
[Re: Hollander]
#1108484 12/17/2412:01 AM12/17/2412:01 AM
Foreign nations intensifying contact efforts with Syria's new de facto government
The US, UK, France, Türkiye and Qatar are among nations that have been in contact and undertaken diplomacy with Syria's new rebel-led government
A meeting of foreign ministers from at least 10 countries and EU and UN officials called for hostilities in Syria, to be ceased to facilitate a locally led transitional political process
Foreign countries have stepped up efforts to establish contacts with Syria's interim rulers, a week after Islamist-led rebels sent president Bashar al-Assad fleeing to Moscow, ending decades of brutal rule
United Nations
The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen was among those arriving in the Syrian capital of Damascus on Sunday
Pedersen said,
Quote
"We need to see of course justice and accountability for crimes"
Quote
"And we need to make sure that that goes through a credible justice system and that we don't see any revenge"
Pedersen called for "increased, immediate" aid to war-ravaged Syria, saying it had been through "an enormous … humanitarian crisis"
Pedersen and al-Sharaa meeting
Pedersen later met Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebel leader Ahmad al-Sharaa who previously went by the pseudonym Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, the rebels' Telegram channel said
Re: Israel: 'State of war'
[Re: Hollander]
#1108485 12/17/2412:01 AM12/17/2412:01 AM
On Saturday, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington had made "direct contact" with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) — in the first declaration by a US official confirming contacts between the Biden administration and HTS
HTS - designated terrorist organisation
1. HTS once an affiliate of Al Qaeda, has been designed as a foreign terrorist organisation by the US State Department since 2018 2. That designation carries severe sanctions, including a ban on the provision of any "material support" to the group or its members 3. The sanctions do not however legally bar US officials from communicating with designated groups
Blinken signed off on a set of principles meant to guide Syria's transition to a peaceful, non-sectarian and inclusive country, along with counterparts from eight Arab nations and Türkiye and senior officials from the European Union and the UN
HTS - considerations on lifting the terrorist designation
Syria's HTS rebel group remains a proscribed terrorist organisation by many of the countries now engaging with it but considerations on lifting the designation are reportedly being made
Re: Israel: 'State of war'
[Re: Hollander]
#1108486 12/17/2412:01 AM12/17/2412:01 AM
Britain's Foreign Minister David Lammy said London had established diplomatic contact with HTS rebel group that led the offensive against Mr Assad
Lammy said,
Quote
”HTS remain "a proscribed terrorist organisation but we can have diplomatic contact and so we do have diplomatic contact"
The UK also announced it would release 50 million pounds ($99 million) of humanitarian aid for "the most vulnerable" Syrians in Syria and in neighbouring Lebanon and Jordan
Lammy added,
Quote
"We're committed to supporting the Syrian people as they chart a new course
Quote
"Today I spoke with Antony Blinken to discuss our efforts with partners to support a more hopeful, secure and peaceful Syria”
"We have collectively agreed principles required to support a Syrian-led transitional political process"
Türkiye
On Saturday, Türkiye also reopened its embassy in Damascus after 12 years Türkiye was a major player in Syria's conflict, holding considerable sway in the north-west and financing armed rebel groups there
Defence Minister Yasar Guler said on Sunday, according to Turkish media reports
Quote
"Türkiye was ready to provide military support to the new Islamist-led government set up by the rebels if requested"
Guler added,
Quote
"The new leadership should be given "a chance"
Quote
"Ankara was "ready to provide the necessary support" if needed"
France
France said a four-strong diplomatic team would arrive in Damascus on Tuesday, acting Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said,
Quote
to "retake possession of our real estate" as well as "establishing initial contact" with the new authorities
Barrot added,
Quote
They would also be "evaluating the urgent needs of the population"
Re: Israel: 'State of war'
[Re: Hollander]
#1108487 12/17/2412:01 AM12/17/2412:01 AM
HTS while designated a "terrorist" organisation by many Western governments, has sought to moderate its rhetoric in recent years, including by claiming it has renounced its Al Qaeda ties
The interim government insists the rights of all Syrians will be protected as will the rule of law
In an interview on Syrian television on Saturday, HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa did not address any direct contact with the US but said the new authorities in Damascus were in touch with Western embassies
al-Sharaa also said,
Quote
"we don't intend to enter any conflict because there is general exhaustion in Syria"
US officials said,
Quote
"Mr Sharaa had been making welcome comments about protecting minority and women's rights"
but US remained sceptical that al-Sharaa would follow through on them in the long run
Re: Israel: 'State of war'
[Re: Hollander]
#1108488 12/17/2412:01 AM12/17/2412:01 AM
A joint statement after the meeting of foreign ministers on Sunday urged all parties to cease hostilities in Syria and expressed support for a locally led transitional political process
It called for preventing the re-emergence of extremist groups and ensuring the security and safe destruction of chemical weapons stockpiles
Jordan
Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi told journalists
Quote
"We don't want Syria to fall into chaos"
Syrian elections
A separate statement by Arab foreign ministers called for UN-supervised elections based on a new constitution approved by Syrians
Quote
Syria did not have an official representative at the meeting in Jordan
Israel's incursion into the buffer zone with Syria
Their statement condemned Israel's incursion into the buffer zone with Syria and adjacent sites over the past week as a "heinous occupation" and demanded the withdrawal of Israeli forces
Assad's brutal dictatorship
Assad fled Syria on December 8 following an 11-day rebel offensive led by HTS, after years of civil war sparked by his violent crackdown on anti-government protests in 2011
The war has killed upwards of 500,000 people and displaced more than half the country's roughly 23 million population
Re: Israel: 'State of war'
[Re: Trojan]
#1108489 12/17/2412:01 AM12/17/2412:01 AM
Israel is preparing military action against Yemen’s Houthis:
The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (Kan) reports that Israel is preparing for a military offensive due to the group’s continued missile and drone attacks
The announcement came after Israel intercepted a ballistic missile and a drone launched by the Houthis earlier in the day
The Houthis said,
Quote
"the attack was in response to Israel’s “massacres” against Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip"
where Israel has been waging a war for more than a year, killing more than 45,000 people [according to, Hamas-run health ministry]
Kan said, citing the weakened positions of Syria’s ousted al-Assad regime and Hezbollah in Lebanon as contributing factors
Quote
"The Houthis have assumed the mantle of attacking Israel on behalf of the entire Iranian axis”
Kan also reported a consensus within Israel’s security establishment to strike back at Houthi targets
From: The times of Israel December 17, 2024 Lebanese Druze politician says country should ‘permanently abandon’ war on Israel
Hezbollah ally Wiam Wahhab, who heads the minor Arab Unification Party, says ‘the nation does not want war’ and the only victor in the region is Netanyahu
Wiam Wahhab, a Druze Lebanese politician and former minister, said in an interview on Sunday that Lebanon should end its long-running fight against the State of Israel and pursue normalization.
Wahhab, the founder and head of the minor Tawhid Party, or Arab Unification Party, is considered an ally of the Hezbollah terrorist group, which holds considerable power in Lebanon, and of ousted Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.
In an interview with the local al-Jadeed TV station, Wahhab said, “We must permanently abandon this mentality of war with Israel,” according to translation from the L’Orient Today Lebanese news outlet.
Wahhab, who served as environment minister in Lebanon from 2004 to 2005, said he would be willing to strike a “deal with the devil,” meaning Israel, in order to ensure the safety of his Druze community.
The Druze population in Lebanon is thought to make up about three percent of the population. Wahhab’s party does not currently hold any seats in parliament.
“The Lebanese have sacrificed more than 75 years of their lives for the Palestinian cause.
This must come to an end,” he said during the interview, adding that “the nation does not want war and no longer wishes to fight the Israeli state.”
After decades of constant fighting against Israel, Lebanon “must stop following pipe dreams… the nation does not want to fight,” said Hezbollah ally Wiam Wahhab
“We want to live comfortably,” he added, suggesting that “the only victor in the region is Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who continues to reshape the Middle East.”
The Lebanon front has paid a heavy price since Hezbollah opened a support front for Gaza,” said Wahhab, referring to the more than year of attacks by the terror group on northern Israel, starting right after the Hamas onslaught on the south on October 7, 2023
Israel believes that around 3,500 Hezbollah operatives have been killed throughout the conflict.
A tentative ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah entered into effect last month, though each side has accused the other of violating the terms of the deal.
Wahhab suggested that the Iranian Axis of Resistance “ended after the deaths of [Iranian general] Qassem Soleimani [in 2020] and [Hezbollah leader] Hassan Nasrallah” in an Israeli airstrike earlier this year.
The only path forward, he said, is normalization with the State of Israel.
The Lebanese politician is known for his outspoken statements, and has made comments suggesting Lebanon abandon its fight against Israel in the past.
In October 2022 after Israel and Lebanon reached an agreement over their maritime border, Wahhab said in an interview with al-Jadeed that, “in my opinion [by signing the deal] we went for sustainable peace. Let’s not kid around.”
Israel may have missed an opportunity to cultivate Syria-HTS neighbourly peaceful co-existence?
Maybe, you have a point...
Perhaps Israel could have extended a friendly neighborly hand to the battered and bloodied Syria instead of “Israel strikes Syria 480 times and seizes territory”
From: Foreign nations intensifying contact efforts with Syria's HTS 1. Foreign nations intensifying contact efforts with Syria's new de facto government 2. "The new leadership should be given "a chance" 3. After Assad's ouster in Syria, U.N. envoy calls for end to sanctions
Syria's HTS rebel group remains a proscribed terrorist organisation by many of the countries now engaging with it but considerations on lifting the designation are reportedly being made
Re: Israel: 'State of war'
[Re: Hollander]
#1108547 12/18/2412:55 AM12/18/2412:55 AM
Hundreds of thousands of bodies could be buried in Syrian mass graves, advocacy group says
Syrians are starting to uncover mass graves across the country, shedding light on the magnitude of atrocities committed during the brutal rule of ousted dictator Bashar al-Assad. Since Assad fled Syria on December 8 following the collapse of his regime, scores of Syrian families still have no answer about what happened to their loved ones following their detention by Assad’s secret police. Hundreds of thousands of bodies of people “tortured to death by the Assad regime” could be buried in a mass grave east of Damascus, according to Mouaz Moustafa, executive director of the US-based Syrian Emergency Task Force (SETF), an anti-Assad advocacy group.
A ceasefire between Turkey and the U.S.-backed Kurdish Syrian forces (SDF) around the northern Syrian city of Manbij has been extended until the end of this week, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Tuesday. Washington brokered an initial ceasefire last week after fighting that broke out earlier this month as rebel groups advanced on Damascus and overthrew the rule of Bashar al-Assad. "We continue to engage with the SDF, with Turkey about a path forward," Miller said at a regular press briefing, adding that the U.S. would like the ceasefire to be extended for as long as possible. "We don't want to see any party take advantage of the current unstable situation to advance their own narrow interests at the expense of the broader Syrian national interest," he added. The SDF is the main ally in a U.S. coalition against Islamic State militants in Syria. It is spearheaded by YPG militia, a group that Ankara sees extension of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants that it outlaws and who have fought the Turkish state for 40 years. Washington has been closely watching any moves by Turkey or Turkish-backed forces on the Kurdish-controlled town of Kobani, but Miller said the U.S. understands Turkish concerns over the PKK, which both Washington and Ankara call a terrorist group. SDF commander Mazloum Abdi expressed on Tuesday the group's readiness to present a proposal that establishes a demilitarized zone in the northern city of Kobani with the redeployment of security forces under U.S. supervision and presence. He said in a statement on X that the proposal aims to address Turkey's security concerns and ensure permanent stability in the area.
Totally agree with Trump on Turkey. Both Iran and Russia underestimated them.
From: Reuters December 17, 2024
Turkey, which controls swathes of land in northern Syria after several cross-border incursions against the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia, was a main backer of opposition groups aiming to topple Assad, who was backed by Iran and Russia, since the outbreak of the civil war in 2011
Appearing to allude to Turkey's Ottoman past, which included control over modern day Syria, Trump added: "They've wanted it for thousands of years, and he got it, and those people that went in are controlled by Turkey, and that's OK."
OK Good news! for Israel which controls swathes of land in... "They've wanted it for thousands of years...
From: various News Agencies France 24: Trump calls rebel victory in Syria 'unfriendly takeover' by Turkey POLITICO.eu: Trump says Turkey orchestrated Assad’s overthrow in Syria Financial Times: Donald Trump says Turkey was behind Islamist groups that toppled Assad in Syria
A ceasefire between Turkey and the U.S.-backed Kurdish Syrian forces (SDF) around the northern Syrian city of Manbij has been extended until the end of this week, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Tuesday.
From: Reuters December 17, 2024
US Troops in eastern Syria: Washington has kept an estimated 900 troops in eastern Syria as a hedge against the militants.
Asked what he will do with those troops, Trump was vague, pointing instead to the strength of Turkey's military and highlighting his relationship with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.
Washington and Ankara: Since Assad's ouster, Washington and Ankara have held talks on countering any resurgence of Islamic State militants in Syria.
Trump and Erdogan: "Erdogan is somebody I got along with great ... He's built a very strong, powerful army," Trump said.
From: Reuters December 17, 2024 Trump says Turkey holds the key to Syria's future
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said on Monday that Turkey will "hold the key" to what happens in Syria, where rebels backed by Ankara toppled the government of Bashar al-Assad earlier this month.
Making his first comments on how he views the NATO ally's role in post-conflict Syria, Trump praised what he described as Turkey's "major military force" that he said "has not been worn out with war."
Turkey's unfriendly takeover: By supporting the rebels, "Turkey did an unfriendly takeover without a lot of lives being lost," Trump told a press conference at his residence in Palm Beach, Florida.
"Right now, Syria has a lot of, you know, there's a lot of indefinites ... I think Turkey is going to hold the key to Syria," Trump said.
Hezbollah: Swiss parliament votes to outlaw Hezbollah
Rare motion for the neutral country passes the parliament’s lower chamber with 126 votes in favor, 20 against and 41 abstentions, despite government’s opposition to ban
Switzerland’s parliament on Tuesday voted to outlaw Hezbollah, in a rare move by the neutral country that has traditionally followed a policy of promoting international dialogue and mediation.
Proponents of the ban, which was passed by the lower house after receiving upper house approval last week, said Hezbollah was a threat to international security and that Switzerland needed to prohibit it to take a stand against terrorism.
Hamas: Last week, the Swiss parliament outlawed Hamas over the Palestinian terror group’s October 7, 2023, terror onslaught in southern Israel, in which some 1,200 people were killed, most of them civilians, and 251 were seized as hostages.
The government, which drafted the bill to outlaw Hamas, said it had done so in line with the practice of proscribing organizations on a case-by-case basis only “for extremely serious reasons.”
Switzerland had previously only banned al-Qaeda and Islamic State, which are on the United Nations’ list of terrorist organizations.
From: Foundation for Defense of Democracies December 18, 2024 Meta Dismantles Iranian and Hezbollah Influence Operations Targeting Israel
Meta's Threat Disruption Center, two weeks ago exposed influence operations backed by Iran and Hezbollah that targeted Israel, taking down several accounts on the company’s Instagram and Facebook platforms.
While Meta dismantled the operations before their deceptive content could garner significant attention from users, they reflect how Iran and its terrorist proxies have waged numerous information campaigns against Israel since Hamas’s atrocities on October 7, 2023
Meta warned that after Russia, Iran conducts the most covert influence operations on its platforms.
14 months of war and tragedy have taken a toll on Israel that is measurable in all of the traditional ways: 1. the civilian victims of October 7 and subsequent rocket and drone attacks; 2. the hostages still held in Gaza; 3. the soldiers who have fallen in battle; 4. the Israelis displaced from their homes; 5. the homes and buildings damaged and destroyed 6. and the tremendous economic damage as businesses faltered and fell
Hamas-Israel ceasefire: Pressure from US President-elect Donald Trump pushed Hamas to agree to major concessions as hopes grow for a truce between Israel and the militant group
From: The Australian December 19, 2024 Pressure from Trump ‘led to Hamas concessions for ceasefire deal’: White House
Donald Trump’s threats of ‘all hell to pay’ if hostages aren’t released by the time he takes office, pushed Hamas, 1. to agree to Israeli forces in Gaza 2. and to release a list of hostages to be freed
Re: Israel: 'State of war'
[Re: Hollander]
#1108660 12/19/2412:03 AM12/19/2412:03 AM
Turkish FM denies Trump claim of ‘unfriendly takeover’ by Türkiye in Syria
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan tells Al Jazeera the only ‘takeover’ in Syria was ‘the will of the Syrian people’
Fidan has denied a claim by incoming United States President Donald Trump,
Quote
the toppling of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad was an “unfriendly takeover” by Türkiye
In remarks apparently praising Ankara, Trump told a news conference earlier this week,
Quote
Türkiye was “very smart” and had carried out “an unfriendly takeover without a lot of lives being lost” in Syria
In an interview with Al Jazeera broadcast on Wednesday, Fidan said,
Quote
it would be “a grave mistake” to describe the current events in Syria as a takeover by Türkiye
Quote
“For Syrian people, it is not a takeover I think if there is any takeover, it’s the will of the Syrian people which is taking over now”
Fidan also said,
Quote
the “last thing” that Türkiye wants is to be seen as the regional power that has final control of Syria, pointing to a culture of domination that had brought ruin to the region"
Quote
Well, I think that would be the last thing that we want to see because we are drawing huge lessons from what’s been happening in our region because the domination culture itself has destroyed our region”
"Not Turkish domination, not Iranian domination, not Arab domination but cooperation should be essential”
Fidan added,
Quote
“Our solidarity with Syrian people shouldn’t be characterised or defined today as if … we are actually ruling Syria I think that would be wrong”
Re: Israel: 'State of war'
[Re: Hollander]
#1108661 12/19/2412:03 AM12/19/2412:03 AM
Asked about US media reporting on concerns that the Turkish military may be prepared to launch a major military offensive in Syria to crush Kurdish forces that are hostile to Türkiye, the foreign minister Hakan Fidan pointed to the YPG (People’s Protection Units) as an “essential threat” to his country
The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) armed group is listed as a “terrorist organisation” by Türkiye and the West Fidan described the YPG as the PKK’s “extension” in Syria
Fidan said,
Quote
YPG has sustained its control over territory in Syria by presenting itself as helping the West, in the fight against ISIL (ISIS)
Quote
"I think this is a misrepresentation of their true identity" "They are there as a terrorist organisation”
“Unfortunately, our Western friends … turn a blind eye to this fact that the YPG is an extension of the PKK”
adding
Quote
"Ankara has been calling on Washington to cease its military support for the Syrian Democratic Forces, of which the YPG is the main fighting component"
Fidan also said,
Quote
Syria’s new government must tackle the issue of Kurdish forces in its territory which would avert the need for Ankara to take action
Quote
“There is a new administration in Damascus now. I think this is primarily their concern now
So I think if they are going to... if they address this issue properly, so there would be no reason for us to intervene”
Local witnesses have told the French news agency, Agence France-Presse (AFP) that there has been an increase in the number of soldiers patrolling on the Turkish side of the border but unusual military activity has not been evident
Re: Israel: 'State of war'
[Re: Hollander]
#1108662 12/19/2412:03 AM12/19/2412:03 AM
Türkiye recognised the new administration in Syria as a “legitimate partner” for Ankara which is why the Turkish embassy in Damascus had reopened and the ambassador has been instructed to communicate with local and central government officials
Officials from the United Nations, European Union and other countries have also made contact with the new administration, Fidan noted, adding that the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group – whose leader is Ahmed al-Sharaa, also referred to as Abu Mohammed al-Julani, is the de facto leader in Syria – should be delisted as a ‘terrorism’ organisation
Quote
“I think it is time for the international community, starting from UN you know, to remove their name from the terrorism list”
Fidan said of HTS which is the main component of the coalition currently governing Syria
US and HTS
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken acknowledged over the weekend that Washington is in contact with HTS and discussions with the group were in the broad context of the future of Syria
The US State Department placed HTS on its list of “foreign terrorist organisations” in May 2018 due to its affiliation with the al-Nusra Front, an al-Qaeda affiliate
HTS credible caretakers of Syria
Since 2016 HTS’s al-Sharaa has moved to distance the organisation from al-Qaeda and has been positioning himself and HTS as credible caretakers of Syria in a post-Assad period
Re: Israel: 'State of war'
[Re: Hollander]
#1108663 12/19/2412:03 AM12/19/2412:03 AM
Israel plans to expand Golan settlements after fall of Assad
Israel's government has approved a plan to encourage the expansion of settlements, in the occupied Golan Heights
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said,
Quote
the move was necessary because a "new front" had opened up on Israel's border with Syria after the fall of the Assad regime to an Islamist-led rebel alliance
Netanyahu said,
Quote
"He wanted to double the population of the Golan Heights"
which Israel seized during the 1967 Six-Day War and is considered illegally occupied under international law
Israeli forces moved into a buffer zone separating the Golan Heights from Syria in the days following Assad's departure, saying,
Quote
the change of control in Damascus meant ceasefire arrangements had "collapsed"
Despite the move, Netanyahu said in a statement on Sunday evening,
Quote
Israel has "no interest in a conflict with Syria"
"We will determine Israeli policy regarding Syria according to the reality on the ground"
1. There are more than 30 Israeli settlements in the Golan Heights, which are home to an estimated 20,000 people 2. They are considered illegal under international law, which Israel disputes 3. The settlers live alongside some 20,000 Syrians, most of them Druze Arabs 4. The Druze Arabs did not flee when the area came under Israeli control
Netanyahu said,
Quote
Israel would "continue to hold on to [the territory] make it flourish and settle it"
