Israeli Military Reportedly Operates Outside Syria's Supporting Zone

Israeli Cross-Air Brigade troops enter Syria's buffer zone. (Source: IDF)

JAKARTA - Israeli Troops (Israel Defense Forces) have been operating in several Syrian villages outside the buffer zone in recent days, local media reported.

Outlet Daraa 24 reported that IDF soldiers entered Ma'ariya Village, several hundred meters east of the buffer zone in the southern Golan Heights and interrogated local residents.

The outlet said yesterday IDF tanks entered Saidah City, which is also on the edge of the buffer zone, quoted from The Times of Israel December 17.

There has been no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the move.

Earlier, the IDF said its troop deployment to the buffer zone and the strategic position in the area was a defensive and temporary measure in the midst of a situation in Syria, and would remain there until the situation improved.

The military has also admitted to operating outside buffer zones in several areas.

The IDF last week dismissed a report saying its personnel were moving forward leaving the buffer zone for the capital Damascus.

Most recently, Israeli Defense Minister Katz said he had ordered Israeli soldiers to prepare to remain in the top buffer zone of Syrian side of Mount Hermon over the coming winter.

"Because of what happened in Syria, there is a great security interest for us to take control of Hermon's summit and everything must be done to ensure IDF preparations in the area, to allow troops to remain there in difficult weather conditions," Katz said in a statement last week.