German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock criticized Israel’s occupation of the Syrian Golan Heights, yesterday Dec. 18, calling it a violation of international law. Baerbock’s remarks came during a parliamentary address following the Israeli government’s decision to double the number of settlers in the Golan Heights earlier this week. Turkish Defense Ministry official also told Reuters that Turkey strongly condemns Israel’s decision to expand illegal settlements in the Golan Heights, which it has illegally occupied since 1967. These statements echo the growing international concern about Israel’s recent military actions and territorial expansion in Syria.
UN Efforts in Daraa Province
In Syria’s Daraa province, a UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) convoy reassured residents in the Yarmouk Basin that Israeli forces would withdraw from the area within two days. According to the local Daraa 24 news network, the convoy, consisting of seven armored vehicles and three support cars, resumed its position near Jamla village after briefly leaving the area five days ago.
The UN convoy traveled through Quneitra Governorate, stopping in the village of Nafaa to communicate directly with residents about Israel’s planned withdrawal. In Quneitra, displaced residents of Al-Hurriya village were seen returning home after fleeing in fear during previous Israeli military operations. An Israeli patrol reportedly instructed local officials not to permit strangers to settle in the area.
Syrian Villages Under Siege
Since the fall of the dictator Bashar al-Assad regime on Dec. 8, Israeli forces have seized new territory in Syria, including Mount Hermon, parts of Quneitra, and the Al-Jazeera plateau, overlooking key areas such as Wadi al-Raqqad and Wadi al-Yarmouk. Israel has established military bases, stormed border villages, and searched homes, often using intimidation tactics.
Israeli occupation forces have demanded that local dignitaries in border towns surrender weapons, cease “harboring outsiders,” and avoid wearing “military uniforms.” Residents have reported threats, including promises of bombings and displacement if demands are not met. In one instance, Israeli occupiers reportedly told a delegation, “If you do not abide by our conditions, count the number of your homes, and we will give you tents for that number.” Residents rejected Israel’s relief aid and accused Israeli forces of attempting to exert control through fear and intimidation.
Israeli forces also destroyed weapons depots in Daraa and bombed military installations, including air defense stations and ammunition warehouses. According to UN envoy Geir Pedersen, Israel has carried out more than 350 airstrikes in Syria since the regime’s fall.
Occupation Timeline & US Support
Israel’s PM Netanyahu announced plans to maintain control of Mount Hermon and other occupied areas until the end of 2025. The decision, Netanyahu said, reflects the absence of a Syrian authority capable of enforcing the 1974 Separation of Forces Agreement. “We will remain in this important place until another arrangement is reached that guarantees Israel’s security,” Netanyahu said during a visit to the summit of Mount Hermon. Defense Minister Yisrael Katz echoed this sentiment, describing the summit as a vital location for monitoring threats from Lebanon, Damascus, and Syria’s border regions.
The US defended Israel’s recent actions, citing “security concerns” and the need to “stabilize the region” following the Assad regime’s collapse. State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel described Israel’s measures as “temporary steps to protect its borders.”
However, critics argue that Israel’s occupation of Syrian territory and its military campaigns undermine international law and further destabilize the region. As tensions escalate, residents of the affected Syrian areas face an uncertain future, grappling with displacement, threats, and the lingering shadow of conflict.
