UN extends observer mission between Syrian and Israeli sides of Golan Heights

The United Nations Security Council has extended a long-running peacekeeping mission between Syria and the Israeli sides of the Golan Heights for six months while expressing concern that military activities in the area could escalate tensions.

Since a lightning rebel offensive ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad earlier this month, Israeli troops have moved into the demilitarized zone – created after the 1973 Yom Kippur War – that is patrolled by the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF).

Israeli officials have described the move as a limited and temporary measure to ensure the security of Israel’s borders but have not indicated when the troops might be withdrawn.

In the resolution adopted today, the Security Council stresses “that both parties must abide by the terms of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement between Israel and the Syrian Arab Republic and scrupulously observe the ceasefire.”

It expresses concern that “the ongoing military activities conducted by any actor in the area of separation continue to have the potential to escalate tensions between Israel and the Syrian Arab Republic, jeopardize the ceasefire between the two countries, and pose a risk to the local civilian population and United Nations personnel on the ground.”

Armed forces from Israel and Syria are not allowed in the demilitarized zone – a 400-square-km (155-square-mile) “Area of Separation” – under the ceasefire arrangement.