Qatari Prime Minister Calls on Israeli Forces to Withdraw from Syrian Buffer Zone

(CLO) Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani has demanded that Israel "immediately withdraw its troops" from the buffer zone established by the United Nations between Israel and Syria.

Speaking at a press conference in Damascus alongside Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, Sheikh Mohammed criticized Israel's occupation of territory near the Golan Heights in southern Syria.

Sheikh Mohammed with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Amman, Jordan on November 4, 2023. Photo: USDS/Chuck Kennedy

"Israel's occupation of the buffer zone is a reckless act and must be withdrawn immediately," Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed stressed.

Last month, Israel deployed troops into a buffer zone along the Golan Heights, a demilitarized zone established under a 1974 UN-brokered ceasefire agreement, after Bashar al-Assad was ousted by opposition forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

In parallel with the troop deployment, Israel also carried out hundreds of airstrikes across Syria under the pretext of preventing weapons from falling into the hands of "extremist" groups, including HTS.

Mr. Ahmed al-Sharaa said Syria is ready to welcome UN peacekeeping forces into the buffer zone.

"Israel's advance was due to the presence of Iranian militias and Hezbollah. However, after the liberation of Damascus, I believe they are no longer present. Israel is using these pretexts to advance deep into Syrian territory, including the buffer zone," al-Sharaa said.

He also affirmed Qatar's important role in pressuring Israel to withdraw its troops: "Qatar will play an active role in coordinating with Western countries, Europe and the US to continue to put pressure on Israel."

In addition to demanding Israel withdraw its troops, Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed pledged that Qatar would support the new Syrian government in rebuilding infrastructure heavily damaged after nearly 14 years of civil war.

"We will provide the necessary technical assistance to restore infrastructure operations and support the electricity sector. Qatar is always ready to cooperate with our Syrian brothers for future partnerships," he affirmed.

In addition, Sheikh Mohammed also called for lifting sanctions against Syria, stressing that these measures would negatively affect the process of supporting and rebuilding the country.

US and European Union (EU) sanctions have been imposed on Mr al-Assad's government over alleged human rights abuses since 2011, when the uprising against the regime began.

However, earlier this month, the US Treasury Department issued a temporary six-month license allowing certain transactions with the Syrian government, including energy sales and related transactions.

While not lifting sanctions entirely, the measure is intended to ensure that humanitarian activities and the provision of essential public services are not hindered.

The European Union (EU) is expected to meet at the end of January to discuss the possibility of easing or lifting sanctions on Syria.

Cao Phong (according to Al Jazeera, BBC, RT)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/thu-tuong-qatar-keu-goi-luc-luong-israel-rut-khoi-vung-dem-syria-post330800.html