Israel builds security fence along Golan border, fears Assad’s downfall

This Wednesday Israel continued building a fence along the border of the occupied Golan heights and Syrian territories, this is an area that was not previously listed as ‘dangerous’ by Israel before.

Israeli forces are bolstering security in the area, fearing a possible fall of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria.

The disintegration of his regime could open up the demilitarized area to the Syrian opposition. Israeli forces have claimed they are frequently attacked by such sub-state forces.

Segments of the new fence are replacing the poorly-built older one at a fast pace, reported Al Arabiya’s correspondent.

The new 56-kilometre fence extends from the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights’ south to the northern region of Quneitra.

During the 21-month old Syrian conflict, government forces and anti-government rebels have often entered the disengagement areas in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

Mortar attacks were fired from the Syrian side on the Israeli-occupied Golan area, heightening tensions.

The region has seen Israeli forces deploy tanks and spyware devices along its border with Syria, fearing Assad’s regime could use chemical weapons against the homegrown opposition.

Israel is also concerned that Islamist militants could occupy the region following the possible downfall of al-Assad’s regime. A scenario similar to the fate of Egypt’s lawless Sinai region, which has been a haven for militants since President Hosni Mubarak’s ouster in a popular uprising in 2011.