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On January 29, 2025, the Foreign Ministry of the new Syrian administration, linked to jihadi group Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), reported that Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani and Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasrah met with United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix and Major-General Patrick Gauchat, head of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) and acting head of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF).[1] The meeting was also reported by the government-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).[2]
UNDOF was established in 1974 in the aftermath of the Yom Kippur War between Israel and Arab states, and its mandate includes "maintaining the ceasefire between Israel and Syria," "supervising the disengagement of Israeli and Syrian forces," and "supervising the areas of separation and limitation." UNDOF peacekeepers are stationed in the demilitarized zone between Syria and the Israel-controlled Golan Heights. Although Israeli forces entered the area following the December 2024 fall of the Assad retime, UNDOF claims that its forces remain at their pre-December 2024 positions.[3]
UNDOF Deployment Map (Source: Undof.unmissions.org, March 2024)
According to the Foreign Ministry, "it was stressed that Syria is prepared to fully cooperate with the UN and cover its positions on the border according to the 1974 mandate, on condition of the immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces." For its part, UNDOF "declared … its full commitment to solving this issue and restoring stability to the borders and the region. It also expressed readiness to provide support for mine-clearing operations, guarantee quality of service, and coordinate with the authorities and organizations working to remove explosives and war ordnance, for the sake of a safer Syria."
Syria's new leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa aka Abu Muhammad Al-Joulani has accused Israel of violating the 1974 ceasefire agreement with its presence in Syria. Declaring that the new administration will not "enter a conflict with Israel," he called on the international community to stop Israeli "escalation" through diplomacy.[4]
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) presence in Syria has been widely condemned by Iran-backed militias in Lebanon and Iraq.[5]
A group calling itself "Formidable in Might – Islamic Resistance Front in Syria" has repeatedly threatened Israeli forces in southern Syria, and claimed downing an IDF drone on January 24.[6]
[1] Telegram, January 29, 2025.
[2] Sana.sy, January 29, 2025.
[3] News.un.org/en/story/2025/01/1159451, January 25, 2025.
[4] See MEMRI JTTM Report: Al-Joulani To Arab Press: Syrian President Will Be Chosen By Elections, I May Run; Armed Factions Will Be Dissolved; We Seek Good Relations With Other Countries, Including Russia And Iran; We Will Not Enter Conflict With Israel But Its 'Escalation' In Syria Must Be Stopped; Turkey Is Our 'Closest Friend', December 16, 2024.
[5] See MEMRI JTTM Reports: Hamas Congratulates Syrians For Their 'Success,' Calls On Them To Stand With Palestinians; Hizbullah Condemns Israeli 'Crimes' In Syria, Expresses Solidarity With Syrians, December 10, 2024; Lebanese Hizbullah Reiterates Condemnation Of Israeli 'Aggression' In Syria, Declares Support For Syrians' Right To Make Independent Choices, December 11, 2024; and Senior Iran-Backed Iraqi Militia Officials: Israeli Attacks In Syria Are Part Of Zionist-U.S. Project; We Will Respond To Attacks On Shi’ites In Syria; We Seek Syrian Elements Open To Understandings, December 11, 2024.
[6] See MEMRI JTTM Report: 'Formidable In Might – Islamic Resistance Front In Syria' Claims Downing Israeli Drone In First Operation Against Israeli Forces In Southern Syria, January 26, 2025.
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