Israel Seizes Golan Heights Buffer Zone Amid Syrian Unrest

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

1. Israeli PM Netanyahu announced control over the Golan Heights buffer zone.
2. Syrian rebels toppled Assad’s regime, triggering this action.
3. Netanyahu called it a “temporary defensive measure.”
4. Israel annexed Golan Heights after the 1967 Mideast war.
5. The international community still recognizes it as Syrian territory, except the U.S.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

Israel Takes Control of Golan Heights Buffer Zone

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Sunday that Israeli forces have seized the buffer zone in the Golan Heights. This zone, established under a 1974 ceasefire agreement with Syria, came under Israeli control following Syrian rebels’ dramatic overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad.

Netanyahu’s Justification

Netanyahu termed this move a “temporary defensive measure,” citing the collapse of the 50-year-old agreement. He emphasized that the withdrawal of Syrian troops from the buffer zone necessitated Israeli action to maintain border security.

History of the Golan Heights Dispute

Israel captured the Golan Heights during the 1967 Mideast war and annexed it later. While the United States recognizes Israeli sovereignty over the region, the broader international community views it as occupied Syrian territory.

Implications for the Middle East

The Syrian conflict’s latest developments have shifted the region’s power dynamics. Israel’s move could escalate tensions in the already volatile Middle East, drawing further international scrutiny.

Aakhir Tak – Key Takeaways to Remember

• Israel seized the Golan Heights buffer zone following Syrian unrest.
• PM Netanyahu justified the move as a “temporary defensive measure.”
• Golan Heights remains internationally recognized as Syrian territory.
• The power balance in the Middle East is undergoing significant changes.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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