Is Syria building new communities in the demilitarized zone between Israel and Syria on the Golan Heights? The Syrians have recently begun construction of a new city opposite the Israeli-Druze town of Majdal Shams. Majdal Shams residents say that the Syrian government has encouraged their Syrian relatives to move to the new town "in order to be closer to their relatives" in Israel. In addition, this past year has seen an unprecedented construction frenzy in the abandoned Syrian town of Kuneitra, just over the armistice line. Entire new neighborhoods there currently stand empty - and IDF sources warn that the vacant buildings may be meant to serve as Syrian military outposts in the demilitarized zone.