US institute outlines Israeli plan to split southern Syria in three
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – The US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on Wednesday that Israel has presented a proposal to the Syrian government for a new security arrangement in southern Syria. The plan calls for dividing the area into three separate demilitarized zones.
According to ISW, the proposed arrangement is modeled on the 1979 Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt, which divided the Sinai Peninsula into three zones with varying levels of military restrictions.
The first zone would serve as a buffer area under the supervision of the United Nations. A second zone would prohibit the presence of Syrian military forces and heavy weaponry but would allow internal security and police units to operate. The third zone would be designated as a no-fly zone.
The report noted that Israel insists on retaining control of Mount Hermon, describing it as a strategic site providing oversight of movements by its adversaries.
The ISW did not provide further details on the status of negotiations or any official Syrian response to the Israeli proposal