In a taut proximity of Syria’s fragile border, the IDF has already dismissed media reports of Israel tanks inching closer to Damascus in view of escalating threatened regional turmoil.
Prevailing reports compiled by the international news agency, Reuters, indicated that Israel’s military had advanced to about 25 kilometers deep into the Syrian territory and had taken control of Qatana, a town that is only ten kilometers from a demarcation line that splits the Israeli occupied Golan Heights and Syria. But, an official IDF spokesperson was quick to rebuff to these allegations.
The reports appearing in the media regarding the presumed movement of the IDF tanks into the vicinity of Damascus are untrue, the officer said, adding that all Israeli forces are stationed “inside the safe zone as it was repeated time and again,” The reports appearing in the media regarding the presumed movement of the IDF tanks into the vicinity of Damascus are untrue, the officer said.
This news comes at a time when there has been a string of crises in the region especially after the Syria rebels were said to have captured Damascus and the uncertain stability of Bashar al-Assad’s rule. That same Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reported that Israel had taken brief control over the demilitarized path of the Golan Heights, a significant rocky depression in southwestern Syria that stretches from northeast in Israel.
The area has always been more or less an area of conflict since ancient time, especially due to the strategic position of the Golan Heights. Gained by Israel from Syria in the 1967 Six Day War and later occupied in 1981 – a move recognized only by a few countries – western Golan Heights has long been a source of conflict between both states.
According to diplomatic reports the current position is rather tense and several countries of the region observe military actions. This potential remains high due to numerous intertwined political and military factors related to the region.
The area dwelling populace near the borders will be sometime back refortifying an atmosphere of hesitation within the precincts. The increased military presence and heightening security measures observed on either side of the DMZ level have made the situation really serious on both sides. International observers, constraining military actions and believing in dialogue could keep such situations at bay from developing into armed confrontation.
Military analysis has pointed out that the deployment of the IDF is probably occurring because of the ongoing instability in Syria, which stared years of civil conflict and is now an increasingly complex and chaotic security environment. The continued threat posed by various militant groups that operate in this particular locality is an initial concern for the Israeli security planners.
The UN has been silent on the official military posturing. However, diplomatic channels continue to be active to defuse emerging tensions; as the situation still unfolds, both regional and international observers are glued to the movements and statements from both the Israeli and Syrian sides. Such potentially rapid changes in the military and political scenario keep the delicate nature of geography open in the Middle East.
For the meantime, the IDF denial of an advance towards Damascus offers a moment when escalation can be avoided, although the tension remains unresolved. The next few days will be crucial in determining the direction of this highly complex and volatile situation.
