When the State of Israel came into being in 1948, Syria invaded, conquered the Banyas, the Mishmar Hayarden triangle, the Almagor triangle, the coast of Betiha, and the eastern bank of the Jordan River.

 

In the armistice agreements of 1949, Syria agreed to withdraw its army from these areas and to turn them into demilitarized zones.

 

However, Syria remained in the strips of territory that secured its hold on the banks of the Jordan River and the Sea of Galilee, and the Banyas. Later, Syria conquered Hamat Gader and Nuqeib, north of Ein Gev.

 

These territories were under Syrian control until 1967 and facilitated its frequent attacks against Israel.