Jordan May Seize Border Areas for ‘Buffer Zone’: Report

Jordan may use military force to create a “humanitarian buffer zone” in southern Syria, the Financial Times reported.

The report suggested the kingdom aims to stem the flow of Syrian refugees into the country, and perhaps more importantly, prevent jihadists from establishing a permanent foothold or staging ground along the country’s border with Syria.

It would be the most significant violation of Syrian territory by a foreign country since the start of the civil war. Analysts also suggested it may signal that regional powers believe President Bashar al-Assad will never regain control of the country.

The Jordanians, according to the report, may carve the buffer zone through a vast swathe of land from the contested southern provinces of Deraa and Suwayda right up along Jordan’s northern border.

It would apparently include the city of Deraa – which is in the grips of a battle between Assad’s troops and rebel forces.

“Diplomats say Amman and its international allies are keen to avoid ‘another Idlib’, referring to the Assad regime’s withdrawal from the city in March; jihadis soon took advantage of the retreat and established a strong presence there,” according to the report.

The plan also calls for a “militarized zone” to separate the buffer area from Syrian government forces.

The FT report said the kingdom’s ally the U.S. would be involved in the plan, but that the zone would be manned mostly by “existing fighters in the anti-Assad rebel southern brigades,” presumably referring to the Western-backed Free Syrian Army – and also include forces being trained in Jordan.

Hassakeh Fighting Has Displaced 30,000: Aid Group

Battles between the Islamic State and Syrian army in the mainly Kurdish city of Hassakeh have displaced at least 30,000 people, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has said.

Many citizens have fled to nearby villages and towns, according to an IRC official, adding that at least 10,000 people were staying in schools or community centers. “It’s a big movement. People have talked about the city basically emptying out,” official Sam Duerden said. “We’ve also been seeing families split up, separated families, unaccompanied children, since many people had to leave quickly on foot.”

The Islamist radicals attacked several government-held southern neighborhoods of Hassakeh on Thursday. The battles have raged since then, leaving dozens dead, according to local activists.

In a related development, Syria’s state news agency SANA said government air strikes killed “large numbers” of IS fighters in Hassakeh. Until last week, Hassakeh was split between government forces and Kurdish fighters.

U.N. Security Council Fears Escalation in Golan Heights

The U.N Security Council, which has been roundly criticized for failing to act in the face of Syrian atrocities, on Monday passed a resolution condemning the fighting and the use of heavy weapons by Syrian armed forces and opposition fighters in the sensitive Golan Heights.

The resolution – co-sponsored by Russia and the United States and adopted unanimously – urges all parties to halt all military action in the area that has separated Syrian and Israel forces since 1974. It warns that military activities in the zone could escalate Syrian-Israeli tensions, potentially sparking a greater regional conflict.

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