Israeli military building in Syria buffer zone, satellite image shows
BBC Verification
BBC / Planet Labs PBCNewly released satellite images show that the Israel Defense Forces are building in the demilitarized buffer zone that separates it from Syria.
This image, obtained exclusively by BBC verify, shows construction work taking place over 600m inside the Area of ​​Exclusion (AoS).
Under the terms of the 1974 ceasefire agreement between Israel and Syria, the IDF is prohibited from crossing the so-called Alpha Line, which lies west of Syria’s southern border.
When contacted about the images, the IDF told the BBC that its “forces are operating within the buffer zone in southern Syria and at strategic locations to protect the population of northern Israel.”
Images taken on January 21 show new buildings and trucks in the cleared area.
Construction appears to have begun earlier this year, with low-resolution images showing the site has been gradually developed since January 1.
A new track or road approximately 1 kilometer long also appears to be connected to an existing road leading into Israeli territory.
On January 20, drone photos shared by a Syrian journalist showed trucks, excavators and bulldozers at the scene.
Jeremy Binnie, a Middle East expert at defense intelligence company Janes, told CNN: “The photo shows four prefabricated sentry posts and they will probably hoist them into the corner position, so they plan to keep at least a temporary one in this location. Sentry. “Presence”.
