The territory siezed by the IDF in Syria following the collapse of the Assad regime is vital for Israeli security, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir said Sunday during a field tour and security assessment in the area.
"The space is a vital space," said Zamir, who was accompanied by Northern Command head Maj.-Gen. Ori Gordin, Division 210 head Brig.-Gen. Yair Falai, and other senior officials. "We entered here because Syria fell apart, and therefore we hold key points and are on the front lines to best protect ourselves."
During the visit, Zamir met with commanders and soldiers operating in the field and approved plans for ongoing defensive and offensive operations.
Standing with troops stationed on a ridge, he emphasized the strategic significance of the area: "From this place we see everyone on this ridge – this is a strategic point. We don't know how things will develop here, but our hold here has an extremely important security significance."
"IDF soldiers will continue to operate in the security space and protect the residents from any threat," he concluded.
Rising tensions and security concerns in Syria
Zamir's visit comes as the US is expected to reduce the number of troops stationed in the country in the coming weeks.
In recent weeks, tensions between Israel and Turkey over the presence in Syria have risen. Earlier in April, Israel struck Syrian airbases in Hama, which were intended to be used as air defense sites by Turkey.