Israel Builds Military Base in Seized Buffer Zone in Syria

25 January, 2025 Israeli Merkava Mk.4M tanks equipped with slat armor, October 16, 2023. The Israeli Defense Forces have built a military base in the buffer zone occupied by troops in Syria. This is reported by the BBC with reference to satellite images from Planet Lab PBC.

Thus, the images show the construction of facilities that, as the publication notes, are military bases and are located in the demilitarized buffer zone separating the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria. The works are being carried out at a distance of 600 meters in the so-called disengagement zone on the western edge, better known as the Alpha line.

Construction of the facility since the beginning of 2025. Photo credits: BBC/Planet Lab PBC: BBC/Planet Lab PBC

At the same time, IDF officials confirmed to the BBC that the troops were operating in the buffer zone in southern Syria and in strategic locations to protect the residents of northern Israel.

According to the latest satellite images from January 21, 2025, the deployment of military equipment on the territory of the base can be seen. The construction itself is believed to have begun on January 1, 2025, as evidenced by lower resolution satellite images. "The photo shows four prefabricated guard posts that they are likely to install in the corners.

So this is a place where they plan to maintain at least a temporary presence," Jeremy Binney, a Middle East specialist at Janes, told the BBC. Additionally, the publication notes that during one of the stories, Israeli soldiers were spotted near the town of Majdal Shams, which is located in the buffer zone and about 5.5 km from the new construction.

Satellite image of the Alpha line for November 5, 2024 and January 21, 2025. Photo credits: BBC/Planet Lab PBC

Earlier, Militarnyi reported that Israeli troops had launched Operation Iron Wall in the West Bank city of Jenin.

According to the order of the Cabinet of Security and Defense, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), the Israeli Security Service (Shin Bet) and local police launched a large-scale operation to eliminate the terrorist threat in the town. The city of Janin is under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority. Earlier, in 2005, four Israeli settlements were evacuated as part of Israel's unilateral disengagement plan.

Since December 2024, the Palestinian Authority has been engaged in a confrontation with the militants of the Jenin Brigades group in this city.