Quneitra:Israeli forces restarted excavation work on Sunday near Al-Asha village as part of the 'Sufa Line,' or 'Sufa 53' military project. This project involves military vehicles and bulldozers working near the separation line with the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, extending a road through rural areas from northern to southern Quneitra.
According to Anadolu Agency, the project's impact on local residents has been significant, with the loss of agricultural land, damage to grazing areas, and altered natural rainwater flow. Many families in the province, who rely on farming and livestock, have been affected. The construction of Sufa 53 began in mid-2022 near Hadr in northern Quneitra and has extended southward through several villages, including Jubata al-Khashab and Al-Hamidiyah.
The project involves building a military road about eight meters wide, with deep trenches, earth berms, observation posts, and military positions. Israel states that these fortifications are to prevent potential attacks by Iran-backed armed groups. The construction continued following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government in December 2024, with an intensified Israeli military presence in the area.
Local authorities estimate that approximately 12,000 dunams (1,200 hectares) of land in northern and central Quneitra have been affected. In Jubata al-Khashab alone, about 7,000 dunams (700 hectares) of land have been lost, with additional land taken in Al-Hamidiyah and Al-Hurriyah. Residents report damage to grazing land and vegetation, impacting livelihoods.
Quneitra media director Mohammad al-Saeed highlighted the widespread damage and limited access to affected areas. Mohammad Mazen Maryoud, mayor of Jubata al-Khashab, noted that the trenches have disrupted rainwater flow, contributing to soil erosion and affecting farming and livestock.
The Syrian Foreign Ministry condemned the renewed work, calling it a 'flagrant breach' of the 1974 disengagement agreement and a violation of international resolutions. The ministry warned of threats to regional security and stability and reaffirmed Syria's sovereignty, calling for international action against Israeli violations.