2.14.2. Territorial control and main armed actors

The Israel-controlled Golan Heights cover roughly two thirds of Quneitra governorate. In November 2025, ISW and CTP indicated that the presence of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also extended to an area adjacent to the east of that territory. The remaining part of Quneitra was mapped as controlled by the Syrian Transitional Government.1313 By mid-February 2026, ISW and CTP indicated that Israel had established a Closed Military Zone in the area west of Quneitra city.1314

Following the fall of Bashar Al-Assad, Israeli forces moved into the UN-monitored demilitarised separation area1315 between the Israel-controlled Golan Heights and Syria,1316 and have since then further advanced into parts of Quneitra,1317 and western Dar’a.1318 A UN source mentioned the presence of 11 IDF positions on the Golan Heights as of April 2026.1319 A March 2026 map by Etana Syria indicated the same number of IDF military positions, including eight in or near the area of separation in Quneitra governorate.1320 Other sources mentioned IDF military bases in Jubata Al-Khashab, Al-Hamidiya, Al-Adnaniyah,1321 at the Mount Hermon Observatory, in the Teloul Al-Homr area, in Qurs Al-Nafl (in Hadar), Tal Ahmar Al-Gharbi (in Kudna), and in Quneitra city.1322 The IDF reportedly also set up temporary checkpoints near Khan Arnabeh, Ofania, Jubata Al-Khashab, Taranja,1323 and other locations in central Quneitra.1324

In terms of state actors, ISW and CTP assessed that Quneitra and Dar’a governorates were under the responsibility of the Dar’a-based 40th Division (the ‘Southern Division’) of the Syrian army.1325 As part of the GSS’ ground security measures and to restrict the movement of non-locals into the border area, Internal Security set up a line of security checkpoints stretching seven kilometers into Syria from the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights and border region (a similar security line was established across western Dar’a governorate, see section 2.12. Dar’a governorate).1326 Researcher Abdullah Al-Jabassini pointed to the ‘uneven distribution of authority’ in Quneitra governorate, with state control being strong in interior localities, but weaker or non-existent in others, restricted by the presence of Israeli forces along the Golan Heights and local community actors such as in the Druze town of Hadar.1327