Netanyahu Calls for Complete Demilitarization of Southern Syria

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for the "complete demilitarization of southern Syria" and stated that his country would not allow the new Syrian army or the "Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham" to establish themselves further south towards the Israeli border. At the same time, Ahmad al-Shara, the interim leader of Syria who ousted Bashar al-Assad three months ago, was invited for the first time to an Arab League summit in Cairo. On Sunday, March 5, Netanyahu stated during a graduation ceremony for officers at the military academy that Israeli forces would remain in parts of southern Syria indefinitely. He emphasized the need for complete demilitarization of the provinces of Quneitra, Daraa, and Suwayda and the absence of the new Syrian government's forces in these areas. Netanyahu asserted that Israel would not accept the presence of the new Syrian government's forces near its territory. He also stressed the need for the Syrian government to respect the rights of the Druze community, stating that Israel would "not tolerate any threat" to the Druze community in southern Syria. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also stated at the military ceremony that Israeli forces would remain indefinitely to protect the people of northern Israel and neutralize any threats in the Mount Hermon area in southern Syria and the border buffer zone. Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government in Syria on December 9, Israel seized the UN-monitored buffer zone in southern Syria and extended its advance to the summit of Mount Hermon. The buffer zone was established in 1974 based on a treaty between the two countries with the UN following the wars of 1967 and 1973 between Arab countries and Israel, and UN forces were stationed there. Israel captured a large part of the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 war and established several towns and settlements there. The first Trump administration recognized Israel's sovereignty over this part of the Golan. In the past three months, the Prime Minister and Defense Minister of Israel have visited the newly seized areas in Mount Hermon several times. The Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported last week, publishing satellite images indicating the establishment of cabins for Israeli soldiers in the seized areas, stating that this indicates preparations for a long-term presence. The new Syrian army, which has incorporated forces from "Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham" and other militias in recent weeks, has not responded to the statements of the Prime Minister and Defense Minister of Israel. The new Syrian leadership is trying to stabilize control over the country after years of civil war. On Monday, the European Union reduced some sanctions against Syria in the energy, transport, and banking sectors as part of the reconstruction of Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad. The new Syrian leaders, who are under the control of Islamist groups, have called for a reduction of sanctions, but Western countries have refrained from fully lifting sanctions until they receive clear signs of this government's commitment to a comprehensive transition and respect for minority rights. The foreign ministers of the European Union decided in a meeting in Brussels to suspend energy and transport sector sanctions and allow financial transfers to five Syrian banks and funding for the Syrian central bank. European officials have warned that if the new Syrian government retreats from its commitments regarding democracy and minority rights, these measures will be revoked. Syria, which has lost much of its infrastructure following the suppression of protests in 2011 and a prolonged civil war, needs over 50 years of sustainable growth to return to pre-war economic levels. Meanwhile, the European Union and other global powers are competing for influence in Syria after the fall of Assad. However, sanctions against Ahmad al-Shara, the interim president of Syria, and the Islamist group Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham remain in place. The Syrian presidency announced on Sunday, March 5, that Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the President of Egypt, has officially invited Ahmad al-Shara, the new president of Syria, to participate in the Arab League summit. This is the first time Ahmad al-Shara has been invited to this summit. This invitation is seen as a significant step in reviving Syria's relations with the Arab world following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government. The emergency summit of Arab leaders will be held on March 14 in Cairo. The meeting between Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Ahmad al-Shara will be the first meeting between the two leaders. Egypt considers Islamists a vital threat, and Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who overthrew the Muslim Brotherhood government of Mohamed Morsi, has acted cautiously since Ahmad al-Shara came to power. The Cairo emergency summit will focus on Arab countries' efforts to formulate a plan to replace Donald Trump's idea for American dominance over Gaza. In the past three months, Ahmad al-Shara has managed to revive relations with many countries in the region and has assured European governments regarding the nature of his government to guarantee human rights. Ahmad al-Shara also met for the first time with a senior delegation sent by China to Damascus this week to discuss Damascus-Beijing relations. Syria is also preparing to hold the "National Dialogue" conference, which will begin on Tuesday, March 6.