Ankara Condemns Israeli Violations in Quneitra as Expansionist
The Turkish Ministry of Defense has asserted that ongoing Israeli activities in the Syrian region of Quneitra constitute a flagrant violation of the 1974 Agreement on Disengagement of Forces. Ministry spokesperson Zeki Akturk stated that the Israeli side’s resumption of the project known as “Sofa-53 Line”—which involves trench digging and road expansion—is a clear indication of Israel’s adherence to expansionist policies within Syrian territory.
In press statements, the Turkish Defense spokesperson noted that these Israeli violations extend beyond this specific project. He indicated that they encompass a series of military and security maneuvers that are heightening regional tensions. These cited violations include airstrikes and artillery shelling targeting populated areas, the implementation of house raids, what the spokesperson described as “arbitrary” arrests, and repeated breaches of the land border.
Akturk further warned of the consequences of ignoring provocations committed by Israeli settlers against sacred sites, arguing that such practices fuel instability in the region. He called upon the international community to take urgent, concrete, and decisive steps against Israeli practices that undermine prospects for peace and stability.
For its part, the Syrian government had previously condemned these Israeli actions in the strongest possible terms. Damascus emphasized that the continuation of work on the “Sofa-53 Line” constitutes a flagrant violation of international legitimacy resolutions and the 1974 Agreement on Disengagement of Forces. Damascus expressed its full commitment to its sovereignty over all its territories, reiterating its demand for a complete Israeli withdrawal from southern Syria. The government characterized these actions as an aggression against Syrian national sovereignty and an overstepping of all international standards applicable to border areas.
This escalation arrives at a time when the region remains in a state of apprehension. Continued field violations directly impact the situation in Quneitra and are driving further security tensions in southern Syria, amidst ongoing regional condemnation of these policies, which the parties involved have described as escalatory.
Source: Syria Focus Arabic
