Israel seizes Syrian buffer zone amid airstrikes on regime ‘weapons depots’

Incursion met with condemnation from Jordan and concern aim is to permanently occupy or annex the area

Israeli forces have seized control of a previously demilitarised buffer zone in Syrian-controlled territory in the Golan Heights and attacked what it said were regime weapons depots with airstrikes, as the shock victory of Syrian rebels over Bashar al-Assad reshapes the region’s frontlines.

Speaking at a news conference, the Israeli foreign minister, Gideon Saar, said the strikes were to stop arms falling into the hands of those who may want to harm Israel and its citizens.