Syria Condemns Israel’s Continued Incursions and ‘Sufa 53 Line’ Construction

Syria condemned Israel’s ongoing violations of its territory, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA). The report stated that Israel has established a new line of control within Syria, referred to as the “Sufa 53 Line.” This line was created after Israel took over an area of Syrian territory on December 8, 2024, following the fall of the Assad regime. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have continued to operate in this region, which runs along part of the 1974 ceasefire line, effectively extending their control into a buffer zone that was previously administered by the Syrian regime and patrolled by the United Nations.

SANA reported that Syria strongly condemned the “ongoing violations” by the Israeli occupation, specifically mentioning the completion of the “Sufa 53 Line” as a recent example. This action is described as a “flagrant violation” of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement and international law. Syria’s concerns about Israel’s role in the area have grown, particularly since the IDF seized the peak of Mount Hermon. Israeli officials have stated that the area will not be returned to Syria.

Syrian media outlets frequently accuse Israel of conducting raids into Syrian villages and shelling them near the buffer zone. According to Levant24, a Syrian news site, there have been more than 1,300 Israeli “incursions,” including 280 in September alone. The Syrian Foreign Ministry has warned that the continued aggressive actions of the Israeli occupation, along with its attacks and field incursions, pose a direct threat to regional security and stability, and undermine international law. The ministry has called on the international community to take effective deterrent measures to stop these violations and prevent their recurrence.

Syria has expressed a desire for the international community to exert more pressure on Israel regarding these issues. It has also called for the border area to be demarcated and stabilized. Israel, on the other hand, has demanded that Syria demilitarize the areas in southern Syria near the border. Without Syrian Interior Ministry forces along the border line, there has been low-level chaos since 2024, leading to a power vacuum.

Syria recently detained a Hezbollah cell in the Yarmouk Basin near the Golan, according to SANA. This incident highlights the complex security dynamics in the region, where multiple armed groups and state actors are involved. The situation underscores the ongoing tensions and challenges in maintaining stability along the border.

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