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News: Syrian President used his UN General Assembly speech to criticise Israel, reaffirm Syria’s claim over the Golan Heights and call for Israeli withdrawal.
About Golan Heights
- The Golan Heights is a strategically significant plateau located in southwestern Syria, near the borders of Israel, Lebanon, and Jordan.
- It covers approximately 1,150 sq. km, stretching 71 km in length and 43 km at its widest point.
- The region overlooks the upper Jordan River valley to the west and is named after the biblical city of refuge, Golan in Bashan.
- It is bounded by:
- Jordan River and Sea of Galilee to the west
- Mount Hermon to the north
- Wadi Al-Ruqqād River to the east
- Yarmūk River to the south.
- History: The Golan Heights was captured by Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War and annexed in 1981. However, this annexation is unrecognized by most of the international community, including the United Nations, which designates it as occupied territory.
- Strategic importance:
- The Syrian capital, Damascus, is clearly visible from the top of the Golan Heights.
- The region overlooks northern Israel’s Galilee and the Sea of Galilee, while also dominating the route to Damascus on the Syrian-controlled side.
- The Golan Heights shares borders with Jordan and Lebanon, adding to its strategic significance.
- It is a crucial water source for the arid region, with rainwater from the Golan’s catchment area flowing into the Jordan River.
