Israel confirms arrests of terror suspects in southern Syria

Israel sent forces into the 235 sq km buffer zone to prevent Syrian rebels from approaching the border when the regime of Bashar Assad collapsed in December.

By Ehud Amiton, TPS

Israeli forces operating in southern Syria continue to arrest people suspected of terror activity, the Israel Defense Forces confirmed on Sunday morning.

Soldiers from the army’s 210th Division are currently deployed from Mount Hermon to the triangle where the borders of Israel, Syria and Jordan converge, the IDF said.

The army added that the Alexandroni Brigade completed several raids on weapons depots this week and arrested several terror suspects who were transferred to Israeli territory for further investigation.

The army also released footage and photos of the operations.

Israel’s Druze community of 152,000 has been calling on the government to take stronger measures to protect their co-religionists in southern Syria.

Around 40,000 Druze live in the southern Syrian provinces of Quneitra, Da’ara and Sweida under Israeli protection. Netanyahu has called for the demilitarization of southern Syria.

In May, the Israeli army set up a field hospital to treat civilians near the Syrian village of Hader.

Israel sent forces into the 235 sq km buffer zone to prevent Syrian rebels from approaching the border when the regime of Bashar Assad collapsed in December.

Israel also launched waves of airstrikes on Syrian army assets and Iranian stockpiles to prevent them from falling into the hands of radical Islamists.

While Israeli forces have briefly entered the buffer zone in the past, December’s takeover marked the first time since its establishment that the IDF set up positions there.

The demilitarized zone was established with a ceasefire in 1974 that ended the Yom Kippur War.

Israel considers the 1974 ceasefire agreement void until order is restored in Syria.