Fear and uncertainty in Golan Heights as Israeli troops drive deeper into Syria

The significance of the Golan and the buffer zone is its unique geographical position overlooking four countries: Syria, Israel, Lebanon and Jordan. Whether Israel’s stated concern over its security is justified, or serves a wider agenda, is another question. HA Hellyer, a Middle East expert at the Royal United Services Institute, said: “I think the main motivation is that they want make sure people up there don’t leave in the same way as other people in the north left because of the threat of Hezbollah from Lebanon. “It is not the fear of rockets but incursions by armed groups.”