Israeli military building in Syrian buffer zone, satellite image shows

Newly released satellite images show that Israel Defense Forces construction is taking place in the demilitarized buffer zone that separates the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria.

The image, obtained exclusively by BBC Verify, shows construction work underway more than 600m inside the so-called Area of ​​Separation (AoS).

Under the terms of the 1974 ceasefire agreement between Israel and Syria, the IDF is prohibited from crossing the Alpha Line, at the western end of the AoS.

Contacted about the footage, the Israeli military told the BBC that its “forces operate in southern Syria, in the buffer zone and at strategic points, to protect the residents of northern Israel.”

Images captured on January 21 show new structures and trucks in the cleared area.

Construction appears to have started earlier this year, with low-resolution images showing the site’s gradual development since January 1.

A new track or road measuring approximately 1 km also appears to join a pre-existing road that leads into Israeli territory.

Drone photographs shared by a Syrian journalist on January 20 show trucks, excavators and bulldozers at the site.

Jeremy Binnie, a Middle East specialist at defense intelligence firm Janes, told us: “The photo shows what appears to be four pre-fabricated guard posts which they will probably crane into place at the corners. So this is a place they plan to maintain at least temporarily. presence”.