Expanding the occupation: Israeli military’s new illegal constructions in Syrian territories

By Ivan Kesic

New reports on Israeli military constructions in Syrian territories suggest a deliberate policy of long-term occupation of the Arab country after months of territorial breaches.

The latest developments indicate that beyond mere military presence in the post-Bashar al-Assad era, the Israeli regime is laying the groundwork for sustained occupation in Syria.

Following the dramatic collapse of Assad’s government last month, Israeli forces swiftly exploited the ensuing security vacuum in the country by launching an incursion deep into Syrian territory and seizing control of key strategic areas.

The recently occupied zones extend eastward from the already-occupied Golan Heights, pushing into the buffer zone and the slopes of Mount Hermon on the Syrian-Lebanese border.

The latest expansion stretches further, spanning from the eastern flanks of Mount Hermon down to the Yarmuk River valley near Jordan.

This vast territory includes ten critical dams and rivers that play a vital role in Syria’s water supply, tightening the Israeli regime’s illegal grip over essential resources.

Israeli troops wasted no time in establishing control, setting up fortified checkpoints, constructing earthen barriers, and imposing rigid restrictions on movement.

These measures have severely disrupted the daily lives of local residents, turning once-familiar roads into tightly monitored corridors of occupation.

Fortifying illegal occupation

But Israel’s ambitions go beyond securing land. The regime is actively fortifying its illegal hold on the country. Multiple large-scale military facilities and bases have been constructed, both inside and beyond the 1974 disengagement zone, reinforcing their entrenched presence.

By late December, just two weeks after the swift capture of Mount Hermon, Israeli newspaper Yediot Aharonot revealed that the occupation army had launched an intricate logistical campaign to establish permanent military strongholds across the mountain’s slopes.

These facilities include a fully operational military headquarters, as well as transport and support infrastructure designed to withstand the region’s harsh winter conditions – a sign that this occupation is not temporary.

Further cementing their presence, the Israeli army’s technology and logistics divisions have overseen the construction of specialized roads leading to the summit, enabling a continuous flow of tactical convoys.

Each day, according to reports, trucks loaded with construction materials and military equipment ascend the mountain, solidifying Israel’s long-term and illegal entrenchment in Syrian territory.

As the occupation expands, so too does the scale of military engineering. What began as an incursion has transformed into a meticulously planned annexation, one road, one outpost, and one base at a time.

Israeli occupation forces are rapidly transforming Mount Hermon into a stronghold, with two major military installations presently under construction at strategic elevations.

One, perched near the summit at 2,814 meters, is modeled after an abandoned Syrian military outpost left vacant following the recent government collapse. The second, situated at a lower altitude of 2,400 meters, is being designed for year-round operational readiness.

The high-altitude base is undergoing extensive renovations, including cleaning, painting, structural repairs, and the installation of advanced military and communication systems.

Living quarters are being fully furnished, with containerized food storage ensuring prolonged sustainability. A massive 20,000-liter water tank has been set up, reinforcing the outpost’s self-sufficiency.

At 2,400 meters, a more adaptive military facility is taking shape. This outpost consists of reinforced mobile buildings tailored for regime soldiers facing the mountain’s punishing winter conditions, where snowfall can accumulate up to six meters.

To counteract the brutal sub-zero temperatures, the Israeli occupation military is reportedly deploying advanced thawing technologies.

These include specialized snowmelters designed to convert compacted ice into potable water, ensuring a steady supply for stationed troops.

Additionally, hypothermia treatment rooms have been constructed, allowing for immediate and effective medical intervention without the need for emergency evacuations.

Beyond Mount Hermon: A web of new outposts

While Mount Hermon remains a focal point, Israel’s illegal military expansion does not stop there. Reports this month indicate that six additional military positions are being built in Quneitra province, signaling a broader strategy of territorial control.

These new outposts are emerging in key locations:

• North Quneitra: Hadar, Qurs al-Nafal, and Al-Tulul al-Hamr
• Central and Southern Quneitra: Al-Hamidiyah, Kodna, and an installation near Al-Mantara Dam

According to the Syrian media outlet Enab Baladi, five of these bases are being constructed within the 235-square-kilometer buffer zone, while one is strategically positioned beyond it, further cementing Israel’s long-term entrenchment in occupied Syrian territory.

With Zionist military infrastructure rapidly expanding and technology being leveraged for prolonged occupation, the latest developments in Syria suggest a calculated effort to solidify and cement illegal control over a vast and strategically vital region.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir