Quneitra, May 31 (SANA) Israeli occupation forces entered an area in Quneitra province in southern Syria on Sunday, setting up a temporary checkpoint and searching passersby before withdrawing, local sources said.
The force, consisting of two military vehicles, advanced along the road linking the village of Saida al-Golan and Mazraat al-Basali. Israeli soldiers stopped and searched people passing through the area before pulling back.
In Daraa, an Israeli force established a temporary checkpoint at the eastern entrance to the village of Maariya in the Yarmouk Basin area. Troops stopped and searched pedestrians, private vehicles and public transport before later withdrawing.
Muwaffaq Mahmoud, head of the Maariya and Abdeen municipality, told SANA that four Israeli military vehicles arrived in the area on Sunday morning carrying what he estimated to be around 150 soldiers. The force established a checkpoint near the telephone exchange at the eastern entrance to the village and searched people, vehicles and passing minibuses.
Mahmoud said there were no reports of arrests or detentions before the troops withdrew from the area.
Israel has continued incursions into southern Syria alongside raids, arrests and land bulldozing operations, in violation of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.
Syria has repeatedly called for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from its territory, saying measures taken in southern Syria are null and void and carry no legal effect.
N.J/ABD
