Syrian rebel soldiers calling themselves “Eagles of the Golan” have taken over Beerajam and Bariqa in Southern Syria, in an area which serves as a demilitarized zone between Israel and the country to the north.
The area around Kuneitra was likely taken because of an armistice forbidding Syria from engaging in military activity in the six-mile-wide area along Israel’s border, providing refuge to rebels not obligated under that law.
Israel has not taken an official position on the months-long civil war. However, Eagles of the Golan, which is largely comprised of Al-Qaida operatives, has said that it will turn its sites on Israel after it defeats Syrian President Bashar Assad.
On Tuesday night, France became the first Western country to recognize the new opposition.
The Syrian Arab Red Crescent said that more than 2.5 million people have been displaced since the fighting began in 2011.
The UN has said it will provide aid to half a million people by the end of the year, including basic necessities such as blankets, warm clothing and cooking supplies.