Is Israel redrawing the Syrian border under the guise of security?

Following the collapse of the Assad regime in December 2024, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) advanced beyond the 1974 disengagement line to establish an expanded, heavily fortified buffer zone in southwestern Syria. Throughout 2025 and into 2026, this intervention evolved from a temporary defensive deployment into a permanent infrastructure network — anchored by a major strategic military road running through the Quneitra countryside. 

Muaz Al Abdullah, Middle East Research Manager at ACLED, said:

“The construction of the road within Quneitra’s buffer zone underscores a broader Israeli strategy aimed at cementing a permanent military foothold in southern Syria, extending far beyond transient security considerations. By utilizing targeted herbicide spraying to clear local farmers from their lands, Israel effectively repurposed a once-productive agricultural zone into a dedicated militarized corridor optimized for troop maneuvers, reconnaissance, and advanced cross-border operations.

“These measures align closely with Israel's systematic approach to the region following the collapse of the Assad government. From dismantling lingering Syrian defensive installations to executing recurrent border incursions and cultivating ties with the Druze population in al-Suwayda to counter the new administration, each action reflects a deliberate push to dictate the terms of the regional transition from a position of overwhelming tactical dominance. The road project serves as the concrete manifestation of this agenda — a physical anchor ensuring enduring leverage and operational latitude within a highly fluid Syrian landscape.

“This strategic expansion is underpinned by a pronounced surge in front-line operations. Following the fall of the Assad regime, Israeli forces established nine military bases and outposts in southwestern Syria, stretching from Mount Hermon to Daraa and Quneitra provinces, four outside the buffer zone, and constructed supporting infrastructure including military roads, electricity networks, and aircraft landing pads, reflecting a shift from temporary deployment to a long-term presence. In May 2026 alone, Israeli forces carried out 84 ground incursions into southern Syria, mainly in Daraa and Quneitra provinces, involving daily patrols, temporary checkpoints, and routine inspections of locals.

“Viewed through the lens of this broader escalation, the development of this roadway is a calculated bid to fundamentally redraw the lines of authority and spatial control within the border zone, systematically absorbing sectors of the formerly disputed territory into Israel's direct tactical and administrative sphere.”

For more information, or to arrange an interview, contact the ACLED Press Office.