Israel won't allow HTS forces in southern Syria, Netanyahu says

PHOTO CAPTION: Illustrative photo — A then-rebel fighter holds his weapon as he stands in front of a military vehicle in Menagh, north of Aleppo, Syria December 2, 2024. REUTERS/Mahmoud Hassano

JERUSALEM (Reuters) -     Israel on Sunday said it will not tolerate presence of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in southern Syria, nor any other forces affiliated with the country's new rulers, and demanded the territory be demilitarized.

Former Al Qaeda affiliate HTS took control of Damascus on December 8 in a stunning offensive, ending then-president Bashar al-Assad's rule and prompting a wary Israel to move forces into a U.N.-monitored demilitarized zone within Syria.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel will keep its positions there as a defensive measure and for as long as is necessary.  

"We will not allow forces of the HTS or the new Syrian army to enter the territory south of Damascus. We demand full demilitarization of southern Syria, in the provinces of  Quneitra, Daraa and Sweida," Netanyahu said at a military graduation ceremony. 

"And we will not tolerate any threat to the Druze sect in southern Syria," he added. The Druze, who practice an offshoot of Islam, are a minority group in Syria as well as Israel.    

Syria has demanded Israel withdraw its forces from the country. The United Nations says Israel's move into Syrian territory is a violation of international agreements and has also called for the troops to be withdrawn.

 (Reporting by Maayan Lubell; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)