UNDOF started to give Syrians identity cards in the demilitarized zone
The United Nations Disengagement Observer Force in the occupied Syrian Golan heights (UNDOF), which monitors activity along the border between Israel and Syria, has given Syrian identity cards to herders, farmers and fishermen living in the demilitarized zone on the borders.
According to the Israeli Haaretz newspaper, this step, which was taken in coordination with Israel, aims to allow the Israeli forces along the borders to distinguish between civilians and armed men approaching the fence in the demilitarized zone.
Haaretz newspaper explained, “After several incidents and in view of the many cases of civilians who happened to be in the demilitarized zone, the Israeli army informed the United Nations that it was concerned about the safety of soldiers near the border”.
The United Nations force estimates that most of the population of the demilitarized zone are pastoralists, farmers and hunters who carry weapons and work in the area, part of them, especially the shepherds, don’t hold identity documents for various reasons.
