Abu Dhabi: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has strongly condemned Israel’s seizure of the demilitarized buffer zone in the Golan Heights, along with other strategic positions in the region.
The seizure breaches international law, notably the 1974 Agreement on Disengagement between Israel and Syria, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the Emirates' official news agency WAM.
The UAE categorically rejects such actions, emphasizing that they escalate regional tensions and hinder ongoing efforts to achieve peace and stability. The UAE reaffirmed its commitment to Syria’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, the report added.
The developments come in the wake of a major offensive launched by Syrian militant groups, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), on November 27. The militants advanced rapidly from northern Syria, capturing government-held areas and reaching Damascus within 12 days.
As a result of the offensive, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government collapsed on Sunday, with al-Assad resigning and seeking asylum in Russia.
On Sunday and Monday, Israeli airstrikes targeted military and security installations in and around Damascus, the southwestern province of Quneitra, Syrian navy vessels at Latakia Port, and military depots in coastal regions.
Additionally, Israeli forces crossed into the demilitarized buffer zone established under the 1974 ceasefire agreement, taking control of border areas by Monday, according to sources from both Syria and Israel.
With IANS inputs