IOF establishing new positions in Syria near Lebanese border
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"Israel" has set up two new military positions in western Damascus, near the Lebanese border, including a Mount Hermon military post overlooking Qatana and Rashaya.
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Israeli soldiers stand guard as Druze men demonstrate in solidarity with the Syrian Druze community near the border barrier in the village of Majdal Shams in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights on April 30, 2025 (AFP)
"Israel" has established two new military positions in the western countryside of Damascus, close to the Lebanese border, a local source confirmed to Al Mayadeen on Thursday, further expanding the Israeli occupation’s presence near the Syrian-Lebanese frontier.
According to the source, the first military post was set up in the Majbal area, situated between the villages of Beqaasem, Rima, and Arneh. This location directly faces the Lebanese district of Hasbaya, granting the Israeli occupation military a strategic vantage point along the border.
The second position has been established at Jabal Barbour on Mount Hermon, overlooking the Syrian city of Qatana and the Lebanese district of Rashaya. The new Mount Hermon military post offers additional oversight over cross-border movements in both directions.
Read more: 'Israel' must withdraw from 5 points, state to monopolize arms: Aoun
Expansion of Israeli occupation in Golan Heights
The source also noted heightened helicopter activity by Israeli forces at the Qasr al-Nafl helipad. The site has reportedly witnessed intensified landing and take-off operations in recent days, coinciding with the expansion of military infrastructure in the area.
In March, Israeli media reported that the Israeli military had already established two positions atop Mount Hermon in the occupied Golan Heights. According to Israeli Army Radio, one of the new posts was "an abandoned Syrian position that Israel has occupied," further solidifying the Israeli occupation’s military foothold in Syrian territory.
These developments align with a broader Israeli military campaign initiated after the toppling of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December. Since then, "Israel" has intensified airstrikes on Syrian military targets and launched ground incursions in southern Syria, aiming to push back the new government’s forces from the occupied Palestinian border.
UN condemns Israeli actions
The UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, had condemned what he referred to as "the repeated and intensifying military escalations by Israel in Syria, including air strikes that have reportedly resulted in civilian casualties."
"Such actions undermine efforts to build a new Syria at peace with itself and the region, and destabilise Syria at a sensitive time," he stated.
In February, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed his government's position by calling for the complete demilitarization of southern Syria. He emphasized that the Israeli occupation would not tolerate the presence of the new authorities near the occupied Palestinian border.
Previously in December, Netanyahu had ordered Israeli forces to enter the UN-monitored buffer zone along the 1974 armistice line in the occupied Golan Heights. "Israel" has claimed that these moves aim to prevent advanced weaponry from reaching the newly established ruling forces.
Read more: Syria responds to US demands, says will not be threat to 'Israel'
