IOF assaults on Lebanon, Syria further destabilize region: Nebenzia
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The Russian UN envoy called "Israel's" expansions in the Golan and its overflights in Lebanon "manifestations of excessive efforts to destabilize the region."
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Vasily Alekseevich Nebenzia, permanent representative of the Russian Federation, addresses the United Nations Security Council (AP)
The recent Israeli attacks on Syria and Lebano are factors that further destabilize the region, Russia's UN envoy, Vasily Nebenzia, said on Tuesday.
Addressing the UNSC, Nebenzia asserted that "one of the manifestations of excessive efforts to destabilize the region is Israel's expansion of its occupation in the Golan."
Other factors that contribute to instability, according to the UN envoy, are the fact that "Israel" is preventing displaced citizens from returning to their homes in South Lebanon and "its provocative actions by conducting military overflights during the funeral of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah."
The ambassador condemned "Israel's" recent aggressions in Lebanon and Syria especially after Haaretz revealed satellite images exposing the Israeli occupation forces' preparations on the Syrian border.
The images revealed that "Israel" has set up no less than seven new military bases, stretching from Mount Hermon, north of the demilitarized zone between Syria and occupied Palestinian lands, to Kodna south of the DMZ.
Haaretz noted that the new military bases were built in: Mount Hermon (Jabal al-Shaykh), Hadar, Jabata al-Khashab, Al-Hamidiyah, Quneitra, Al-Qutayfah, and Tall Kodna.
In Lebanon, Israeli forces continue to violate the ceasefire, launching attacks in South Lebanon and in Bekaa north of the Litani River, most recently killing 2 people and injuring 3 others in an airstrike on Janta in the east Lebanon mountain range.
'Israel' expands its presence in Syria
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu called for the demilitarization of south Syria, due to rising "security concerns" over the presence of "hostile forces near Israel's borders," adding, "We will not allow forces of the HTS or the new Syrian army to enter the territory south of Damascus."
"Israel" announced on Sunday that it would not tolerate the presence of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham or any military connected to the new Syrian administration, justifying the presence of its military in southern Syria as a "defensive measure", adding that they will stay indefinitely.
Syrian sources confirmed to Al Mayadeen that Israeli occupation forces advanced into the villages of al-Asbah, Kodna, al-Rafid, and Hiran in the southern countryside of Quneitra, Syria, on February 17 and conducted population surveys in the region, claiming that they aim to "meet the needs of the local population and provide them with assistance."
Israeli forces also constructed a new observation post near the Agricultural Tower in the town of Jubaatha al-Khashab in northern Quneitra, according to Al Mayadeen's correspondent.
The IOF advanced on February 9 into the Syrian town of Ain al-Nourieh in northeast Quneitra after destroying the remnants of two former Syrian mortar and anti-tank missile units on the strategic hill.
