Qatar Prime Minister Urges Israeli Withdrawal from Syria Buffer Zone

During his first visit to Damascus since the fall of Bashar al-Assad, Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani called for Israel to 'immediately withdraw' from the buffer zone established between Syria and Israel, condemning its recent military actions in the area. He characterized Israel's occupation of the zone as a reckless act and emphasized Qatar's readiness to cooperate with Syria's new administration on humanitarian and infrastructural support, including electricity supply. Sheikh Mohammed's remarks were made alongside Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, who supported the call for Israel's withdrawal and expressed readiness for UN peacekeepers to enter the buffer zone. The Israeli military maintains that its presence is a defensive response to threats from Iranian militias and Hezbollah, which have reportedly diminished following the change in Syrian leadership. The discussions signal a potential shift in Qatari-Syrian relations, with plans for future economic and investment projects. This diplomatic engagement highlights the evolving geopolitical landscape in the region following Assad's ousting.