Daraa, June 11 (SANA) Israeli occupation forces stormed the towns of Ma’ariya and al-Arda in the Yarmouk Basin area of western Daraa countryside, southern Syria, on Thursday, setting up several checkpoints and obstructing the movement of residents.
Muwaffaq Mahmoud, head of the Abidin and Ma’ariya Municipal Council, said Israeli occupation forces entered the area at dawn with several military vehicles and positioned themselves at the eastern entrance to Ma’ariya near the town’s water well. The forces searched public and private vehicles and continued the operation until 7 a.m.
He added that the forces later moved to locations near the entrance to al-Arda, between the towns of Ma’ariya and Abidin, where they established temporary checkpoints and conducted extensive vehicle searches. Vehicles were stopped at intervals of 50 to 60 meters and were not allowed to proceed until inspections were completed, causing traffic disruptions and delays.
Mahmoud said the measures angered residents, particularly because they coincided with students traveling to sit for their basic education certificate examinations, resulting in delays for many of them.
The Yarmouk Basin area in western Daraa countryside has witnessed repeated Israeli incursions, including the establishment of temporary checkpoints and searches of vehicles and residents, negatively affecting daily life. The incursions continue in violation of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.
Syria has repeatedly called for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from its territory, stressing that all measures taken by Israel in southern Syria are illegal under international law. Syria has also urged the international community to take action to halt the ongoing violations and ensure a full Israeli withdrawal from the region.
N.J/ABD
