Quneitra, Jan.9 (SANA) The United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) has begun conducting nightly patrols and setting up checkpoints in several villages and towns in northern Quneitra countryside.
Tarik Maryoud, head of Jibata al-Khashab municipality, told SANA that the move came in response to residents’ requests following an arbitrary arrest by Israeli occupation forces two days ago, when a checkpoint was established at the Ain al-Bayda junction and four young men from the town were detained.
He added that a meeting was held yesterday morning between residents and UNDOF forces, during which the release of the four young men was requested. The force informed residents that the release would occur within 24 hours, which was carried out successfully.
Maryoud noted that residents also requested UNDOF to conduct nightly patrols across the northern countryside within the municipality’s jurisdiction and to intensify efforts to limit Israeli occupation incursions and violations, aiming to enhance security and stability and monitor any movements by the occupation forces to prevent further checkpoints or arrests.
The UNDOF delegation conveyed the residents’ request to its leadership, after which the commander of Point 37 informed the municipal council that the request had been approved. The nightly patrols will take place daily from 11:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m., covering the outskirts of Jibata al-Khashab and the villages of Tarnaja, Oufania, and Ain al-Bayda in northern Quneitra countryside.
UNDOF was established on 31 May 1974 and has since supervised the implementation of the disengagement agreement in the area. On 29 December, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution extending UNDOF’s mandate for six months.
Earlier, Israeli occupation forces, consisting of five military vehicles, established a checkpoint at the al-Kasarat junction after advancing along the road between Jibata al-Khashab and Ain al-Bayda. They searched passersby, detained four young men from the town, and took them to the Hamidiya point before releasing them the following day.
Israel continues to violate the 1974 disengagement agreement by conducting incursions into southern Syria and targeting civilians through raids, arbitrary arrests, forced displacement, property destruction, and plowing agricultural lands.
Syria continues to demand the withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from its territories, emphasizing that all measures taken by the occupation in southern Syria are null and void under international law. It calls on the international community to fulfill its responsibilities, curb occupation practices, and ensure the full withdrawal of Israeli forces in accordance with the 1974 disengagement agreement.
A/Dh
