Syrian Villagers Witness Israeli Military Presence Amidst Regional Shifts

Approximately an hour’s journey from Damascus, along a rural route leading to the Syrian village of Hadar, Israeli military personnel were encountered. Two armed vehicles and multiple soldiers equipped for combat were stationed at a makeshift checkpoint, representing an external power in a nation commemorating its liberation. Passage was granted to the reporters. This observation confirmed Israel’s penetration into Syrian land – described by Israel as a temporary occupation of a UN-supervised buffer zone, established five decades prior under a ceasefire accord. Riyad Zaidan, a resident of Hadar, commented, “Maybe they’ll leave, maybe they’ll stay, maybe they’ll make the area safe then go away.” He added, “We want to hope, but we’ll have to wait and see.” Jawdat al-Tawil, the head of the village, indicated the Golan Heights region, which Israel occupied in 1967 and is distinctly visible from the vantage points of Hadar. Numerous inhabitants in this area have family members who continue to reside in that territory. Currently, Israeli troops are regularly observed operating within their village, portions of which extend into the demilitarized zone. On an elevated incline nearby, Israeli bulldozers are visible engaged in work on the hillside. Following the collapse of President Assad’s government a week prior, the prevailing sentiment of freedom in this location is accompanied by a sense of resignation. Jawdat al-Tawil recounted with pride how the community had protected itself from militia factions throughout the Syrian civil war, displaying images of the many men who perished in the effort. He stated, “We don’t allow anyone to transgress on our land.” He continued, “[But] Israel is a state – we can’t stand against it. We used to stand up to individuals, but Israel is a super-power.” Subsequent to the removal of Syria’s former president Bashar al-Assad earlier this month, Israel has additionally conducted hundreds of aerial assaults against military objectives throughout Syria. Furthermore, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has revealed fresh initiatives to increase the number of residents in Israeli settlements within the occupied Golan Heights by twofold, asserting that this action was necessitated by “the new front” that had emerged in Syria. Prior to the disclosure of that strategy, Syria’s provisional leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, cautioned that Israel’s military operations carried the risk of unjustified regional escalation and affirmed his government’s desire to avoid confrontation with Israel. The Foreign Ministry of Israel declared its operations were essential due to dangers presented by jihadist organizations active along the ceasefire boundary with Syria, characterizing its military penetrations in the area as “limited and temporary”. The inhabitants of Hadar are predominantly members of the Druze community – a closely connected, insular collective that diverged from conventional Shia Islam many centuries ago. During the 1967 conflict, when Israel seized a portion of the Golan Heights and subsequently annexed it unilaterally, certain Druze individuals residing there chose to stay and acquire Israeli citizenship. Al-Sharaa, who leads the Syrian militia Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) responsible for President Assad’s removal from power this month, originates from a family with ties to the occupied Golan Heights. Certain individuals on the Syrian-administered side of the border are concerned that Israel’s objective is to appropriate additional land. For an extended period, Israel has been engaged in conflict with the Iran-supported militia in that area, which had backed Assad. This frontier zone serves as a crucial conduit for arms shipments between Tehran and its allied proxy groups, such as the Lebanese militia Hezbollah. The overthrow of Assad has diminished the strength of these factions – and Iran. However, Israel has subsequently intensified its military operations, leveraging the power vacuum to broaden its influence. Furthermore, Israel has been striking military gear abandoned by Assad’s troops at installations nationwide, concerned about potential future users. Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, stated on Sunday that the “immediate risks” to Israel persisted, and that recent occurrences in Syria had amplified the danger, “despite the moderate appearance that rebel leaders claim to present”. Having been sidelined by the Assad government and branded as infidels by Sunni jihadist organizations such as HTS, the Druze population of Syria exhibits greater acceptance of Israel compared to numerous other local communities. The village previously engaged in combat against the Iran-supported factions that Israel considers a menace in this region, but Jawdat al-Tawil informed me that regional allegiances were evolving, and he was currently in discussions with these groups regarding a potential agreement. Syria is a territory where its inhabitants have historically not depended solely on a single ally nor confronted only one adversary. Resident Riyad Zaidan conveyed, “We just need peace.” He added, “We’ve had enough war, enough blood, enough hard life – we need to stop.” Religious minority groups, including the Druze, endured hardship under Assad. The nation’s new leadership from HTS has pledged forbearance and regard for Syria’s varied ethnic and religious populations. However, eight years prior, the organization maintained affiliations with international jihadist entities such as al-Qaeda. Approximately when HTS separated from al-Qaeda in 2016, Jawdat al-Tawil’s son, Abdo, was slain by their militiamen on the periphery of Hadar, during his service with the Syrian Army. He indicated the location where 30-year-old Abdo lost his life, and I inquired about his sentiments regarding HTS assuming governance of Syria presently. He remarked, “At first, they were gangs. Now they have got rid of the tyrant [Assad], and have come to power.” He continued, “They’re supposed to rule with justice, provide safety and ensure people’s rights.” He stated, “It’s not clear yet if they’ve changed.” He added, “I hope so.” Further contributions were provided by Yousef Shomali, Charlotte Scarr, and Mayar Mohanna. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the material on external websites. 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