Golan Heights Explained | Why Syria and Israel Claim This Region | NEXT IAS The Golan Heights is one of the most strategically significant and disputed regions in West Asia, legally belonging to Syria but largely controlled by Israel. Captured by Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed in 1981, the move was rejected by the United Nations and the international community, which continues to recognize the area as occupied Syrian territory. The region holds immense military and water se