The Israel Defense Forces said on Wednesday afternoon that it was investigating after troops in the buffer zone fired warning shots at approaching protesters in southern Syria.
“Earlier today, several gatherings were identified in southern Syria, approaching IDF forces operating in the area. After calling on the protesters to move away, the forces responded with warning shots,” the IDF said.
“The claim of casualties in the area is under investigation,” the statement continued. “The IDF is deployed in the region and will continue to act to protect the State of Israel and its citizens.”
The statement comes after the Saudi news outlet Al Arabiya reported that two people were wounded by IDF gunfire in the Quneitra area, parts of which are located within the buffer zone.
Since the fall of the Assad regime, Israeli troops have taken up positions inside and beyond the Golan Heights buffer zone, including the strategic Syrian side of Mount Hermon. Jerusalem has warned Syria’s de facto leader Ahmad al-Sharaa (Abu Mohammad al-Julani) that it will not tolerate jihadist groups establishing a foothold in southern Syria.
