Golan

Two Israeli companies have confirmed the launch of new wind power capacity in the Golan Heights in the coming months. Soon, the Heights will host a combined capacity of more than 400 MW of wind-generated electricity production. Meanwhile, Syrian residents protest as the Heights' natural resources, namely water, wind, and, potentially petroleum, have been a primary target for investment at their expense.

While the February 06 earthquake has increased diplomatic activities between Syria and the Arab world, Damascus will likely remain relatively isolated. Sanctions will also largely remain in place for the foreseeable future.

At the COP27 conference, the Syrian government predominantly blamed western sanctions, the opposition, and Israel for the challenges it faces in fighting climate change without taking responsibility for its role as a contributor to environmental harm. 

An Israeli company has recently completed the first phase of a water project in Northeast Syria, which is controlled by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria and has long been facing a severe water crisis.

Israel has recently launched this year’s state-funded agricultural support programme which offers free land and funds to Israeli farmers in exchange for cultivating land and living in the occupied Golan Heights and Galilee. The Israeli government is also facilitating a renewable energy project that is slated to be built on land owned by native Syrians.

The Ministry of Industry recently issued the execution plan for a new water bottling plant in the rural part of the Quneitra governorate, one of the few state investments in the governorate. The plant would represent a rare government investment in the governorate, as the area has suffered from poor services and scant investments since 1973, when Syria regained control of Quneitra following the 1967 Six-Day War.