Official announcements from the governments of Israel and Syria, or credible international news agencies

Qatar's PM Urges Israel to Withdraw from Syria Buffer Zone Near Golan Heights

Jan 16, 2025, 02:40 PM

Qatar's Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, has demanded that Israel 'immediately withdraw' its forces from the United Nations-established buffer zone with Syria. This call comes after Israeli troops entered the area following the removal of Syria’s longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad. The buffer zone, which lies along the Golan Heights and separates Syria and Israel, has been an officially designated demilitarised zone since a 1974 UN-brokered ceasefire. Sheikh Mohammed criticized Israel's occupation of the territory near the Golan Heights, describing it as a 'reckless act' and called for an immediate withdrawal. The Syrian leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, also condemned Israel's advance, stating that there are no longer any Iranian militias or Hezbollah presence in the area, removing any pretext for Israel's military presence. Qatar has promised to provide technical support for the rehabilitation of Syria's infrastructure, devastated by nearly 14 years of war, and called for the lifting of sanctions on Syria to aid in its recovery. Israel has also launched hundreds of air strikes across Syria, claiming to target 'extremists', including groups like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).