The unusual phenomenon that the IDF identifies on the Golan border: "The Syrians are on the roofs"
Opposite the destroyed Quneitra, IDF soldiers monitor every movement on the Syrian side. Despite the absence of heavy enemy forces, the tension in the sector keeps troops on high alert.
The IDF does not currently identify the establishment of heavy Syrian forces in the Golan area — no tanks, no artillery, and no infantry formations. According to Major M. and Lieutenant A., Syrian activity in the area is based mainly on light assets and police squads moving in pickup trucks. "He only has light assets here, police squads operating on pickup trucks," says Lieutenant A.
"We understand that they want to establish themselves, but we don't see it with the naked eye, but rather identify things through intelligence work," says Major M., who explains that the IDF is monitoring for any attempt to build infrastructure or establish permanent positions. "As of now, they are not approaching the buffer zone." When asked where the Syrian army forces are positioned, she says: "They are in various areas, but far from the border with Israel. We are preparing for any scenario."
In the afternoon hours, the border crossing in Quneitra was bustling with activity as UN soldiers, tasked with maintaining the ceasefire agreement, conducted a rotation.
Major M. observes the area from the roof of the "police post," the most recognizable structure in old Quneitra. Around it are dozens of destroyed buildings, some damaged in the Yom Kippur War and others in recent years. Terrorist organizations have attempted to infiltrate the area, but the IDF has consistently identified and struck them.
"The fall of the Assad regime was a turning point"
In recent days, the area has been in the headlines again. The tension is palpable, especially against the backdrop of the triple friction between Israel, Syria, and Turkey following the attack on the Abu al-Duhur airport in the Idlib province. "The situation is tense, but we are ready for any scenario," says Major M.
Following the airport attack, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he would not allow the establishment of Turkish forces or other hostile bodies. The soldiers of the 595th Battalion know they are the eyes of the State of Israel in the area. "The moment the Assad regime fell, we positioned ourselves here to separate us from enemies and prevent their establishment. Our goal is to prevent harm to our citizens, not to harm the Syrian citizens living here. We are creating a stronger defense so that the enemy meets an army, not civilians."
Soldiers have also noted interesting local observations. "Syria's infrastructure is very dilapidated. This summer, we saw hundreds of Syrian residents going up to the roofs at night to sleep due to the heat in houses without air conditioning," says Major M. "The fall of the Assad regime was a turning point, and for nearly two years we have been trying to re-characterize the terrain and the enemy. Currently, they are still busy with problems inside Syria rather than with forces around them."
The full interview will be published tomorrow in "Maariv".
