Israel paves the way for a new security belt in southern Syria by removing mines and expanding military infrastructure

Israel has commenced rapid field movements along the border strip with Syria, a step that portends a reshaping of the southern front within a broad, permanent security project inside the border region.

Israeli forces have begun removing minefields spanning thousands of dunams along the border with Syria, in parallel with the launch of a new technical and military program involving the American company "Ondas" through its defense arm "4M Defense".

The American company revealed that the mine removal program along the Israeli-Syrian border will be implemented in phases extending over three years, with options for expansion in later stages.

The initial contract, announced in March 2026, covers the removal of mines and unexploded ordnance from an area estimated at approximately 3,000 dunams (equivalent to 740 acres or about 3 square kilometers) over three years, with a clause allowing for an increase in funding by approximately an additional $30 million in later stages, revealing that the project goes beyond a limited field procedure to a long-term plan for re-engineering the border strip security-wise and militarily.

"4M Defense" relies on an integrated artificial intelligence platform for project implementation, combining autonomous ground robots, drones for mapping, advanced sensing technologies, and AI-powered data processing systems.

Arik Bruck, Chairman and CEO of Ondas, said in a press statement: "Large-scale mine clearance operations are increasingly benefiting from advanced robotics, autonomous systems, and aerial mapping technologies, which improve safety and efficiency. This program highlights the theme: how innovative technologies can transform mine clearance operations while addressing complex security and environmental challenges."

According to Israeli military sources, this mine removal operation comes within a strategic plan to establish an "enhanced security belt" along the border with Syria, including advanced surveillance systems, electronic walls, and permanent military outposts.

The project aims to end decades of mine accumulation in the Golan, and to open the way for "civilian, commercial, and industrial use" of the cleared lands, according to the Israeli Ministry of Defense.

Source: RT