Israeli forces demand evacuation of Syrian village in Quneitra amid heightened tensions
By Kardo Roj
QUNEITRA, Syria (North Press) – On Thursday, Israeli forces called on residents of Hamidiyah village in the Quneitra countryside, southern Syria, to evacuate the area, using loudspeakers to demand their departure. This comes amid escalating tensions in the region following the recent ousting of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
A bold incursion
According to local sources, Israeli troops entered Hamidiyah village and forcibly displaced its residents. The forces also reached the outskirts of Jabatha al-Khashab, demanding that locals surrender any weapons in their possession.
Residents of Umm Batna village reported that Israeli troops searched homes and detonated a former Syrian regime military building after rigging it with explosives.
Meeting with local leaders
On Wednesday, Israeli military officials reportedly met with community leaders from Quneitra following the incursion, raising concerns among local populations about the broader implications of the Israeli presence in the area.
Escalation since Assad’s fall
Israel’s operations in Syria have significantly intensified since the downfall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime earlier this month. The Israeli military recently claimed to have carried out its largest aerial campaign in Syria, stating that it had destroyed key Syrian military assets to prevent their use by armed groups now vying for control of the region.
An Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson justified the actions as “necessary measures to neutralize threats to Israeli security.” However, these operations have sparked international criticism and fueled fears of further destabilization in southern Syria.
Humanitarian concerns
The forced evacuation of Hamidiyah’s residents has raised alarm among human rights organizations, who are calling for urgent international attention to the humanitarian fallout of the escalating conflict.
In a statement, a Quneitra resident, who requested anonymity, said, “We are caught between Israeli forces and armed groups operating in the area. No one knows what will happen next.”
Strategic implications
Quneitra, located near the Golan Heights, has long been a hotspot for tensions between Israel and Syria. The area’s strategic importance has made it a focal point for military operations and political maneuvering, with multiple stakeholders vying for influence.
Since Assad’s ouster, the region has become even more volatile, with rival factions competing for control and external actors, including Israel, stepping up their involvement.
Background
The Golan Heights, internationally recognized as Syrian territory but annexed by Israel in 1981, has been a flashpoint for conflict since the Syrian civil war began in 2011. Israel has frequently conducted airstrikes in Syria, targeting Iranian-backed militias and Hezbollah, which it considers threats to its national security.
What lies ahead
As the power vacuum in Syria deepens, the risk of further escalations involving Israel, armed groups, and the new governing authorities in Damascus remains high. Observers are closely monitoring developments in Quneitra and the broader region for signs of broader conflict or potential de-escalation through diplomatic channels.