Jolani: The Islamic Republic of Iran and Hezbollah are no longer present in Syria

Ahmad al-Shara (known as Jolani), the leader of the Syrian government, announced on Thursday, January 17, that his country is ready to welcome United Nations forces in the buffer zone designated by the organization with Israel. He stated that Israel's advance into Syrian territory was due to the presence of Iranian forces and Hezbollah in Lebanon, adding, "After the liberation of Damascus, they are no longer present in Syria at all." Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar, who arrived in Damascus on Thursday, also criticized Israel's advance in the buffer zone during a press conference alongside Ahmad al-Shara and called for the immediate withdrawal of its forces. Last month, Israel deployed its military units in the buffer zone that separates Syria and Israel along the Golan Heights. This area was officially designated as a demilitarized zone as part of a ceasefire agreement mediated by the United Nations in 1974. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously emphasized that Israeli forces would remain in the buffer zone at the Syrian border, especially at the summit of Mount Hermon, "until Israel's security is guaranteed." Over the years, the Islamic Republic of Iran has been one of the main supporters of Bashar al-Assad's regime and has utilized Syria as a vital land route for smuggling weapons to Hezbollah, its proxy, and has had extensive activities in the region. The Wall Street Journal reported on January 7 that most Iranian forces had left Syria over the past month, and various armed groups supported by the Tehran regime have also dissolved following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime. The withdrawal of Iranian forces from Syria is seen by many political analysts as the end of decades-long efforts by Tehran to exploit Syria as a regional strategic center to expand its influence and wage proxy wars against the United States and Israel. Foad Hussein: Iraq is seeking to disarm Iranian government militias. Western airlines are resuming flights to the Middle East. The High Commissioner for Human Rights called for "national reconciliation" during a visit to Syria. Israel accused the Islamic Republic of Iran of assisting Hezbollah in rearming. European Union ministers will discuss reducing sanctions on Syria on January 27.