According to the provincial director of the Environment, Ali Ibrahim, the losses to forests and nature reserves located within the buffer zone were estimated at approximately $103 million.

He asserted that Zionist troops took advantage of the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government on December 8, 2024, to enter the governorate’s territory and take control of sensitive forest sites.

They proceeded to raze land, uproot trees, pave roads, and build military bunkers, causing widespread environmental destruction, the director reported, as quoted by the Al-Hurriya newspaper.

He explained that the Jabata Al-Khashab Nature Reserve, estimated at 133 hectares, has been targeted by attacks that have affected its plant and animal diversity, with economic losses estimated at approximately $36 million.

He also confirmed that the Kodna Forest, which covers an area of ​​186 hectares and is more than 40 years old, was completely destroyed by bulldozers, causing a significant loss of ecological balance with losses estimated at approximately $59.5 million.

He added that the forests located on both sides of the highway between the Al-Salam provincial capital and the ancient city of Quneitra were also razed, resulting in losses of approximately $8 million.

Israel has intensified its military operations since last December, attacking former military positions and penetrating rural areas in Daraa and Quneitra provinces.

These violations drew condemnation from numerous countries, with several governments and United Nations agencies demanding an immediate cessation of Israeli attacks and respect for Syria’s sovereignty and the security of its population.

For its part, the Syrian Foreign Ministry stated that Israel is undermining post-war recovery efforts in Syria and called on the international community to pressure Tel Aviv to halt its aggression and respect the withdrawal agreement.

ef/mem/fm