Israel Vows to Maintain Military Presence in Southern Syria

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced Tuesday that Israel will not withdraw from Mount Hermon or the security buffer zone within Syrian territory. During a visit to troops in southern Syria, Katz stated the military presence will remain as long as "jihadist threats" to the State of Israel persist, asserting that the Israel Defense Forces are there to protect border communities and prevent the new Syrian regime from consolidating dangerous power.

Israeli forces seized control of the buffer zone, previously patrolled by the United Nations, following the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime in December 2024. At that time, Israel declared the 1974 Disengagement Agreement null and void. The Government of Syria condemned Katz's visit as an "illegal entry" and a "flagrant violation" of national sovereignty, calling for international intervention.

Katz also addressed a recent Israeli strike on the disused Abu Duhur air base in northwestern Syria. He claimed the strike was necessary to prevent Turkish troops from entrenching themselves at the facility, though the Government of Turkey has denied these claims. The visit follows a similar trip last week by Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir to warn against threats establishing themselves on the border.