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The demilitarised zones of the world are the areas closed off to people and military operations due to the agreement signed between the countries in these zones. The DMZ or demilitarised zones are the neutral zones, too, since no country on the other side of the border is allowed to do anything on the land surrounding their borders. There are various examples of the demilitarised zones that exist in the world. Examples are the Green Line or the Cyprus Buffer Zone, the Iraq-Kuwait border, Antarctica, the Golan border, the Korean demilitarised zone, etc. Sometimes a demilitarised zone will make an informal or not legally recognised international border because of the tension between the two countries. The Korean demilitarised zone is the best example of a de facto international border.
The Demilitarised Zones
The demilitarised zones of the world can be established by making a verbal agreement, or a legally binding document called a treaty between the two countries to leave a part of the land alone. Even though all parties involved in the treaty or the agreement are restricted from the area, sometimes that area is used to preserve the wildlife. Since no human activity is being done there, the area is less polluted and not disturbed by humans, which helps the wildlife thrive.
1. The Green Line
The Green Line, also known as Cyprus Buffer Line, is a dividing area between the north and south of Cyprus. The demilitarised zone was set up in Christman of 1963 by the United Nations; the Green Line resulted from a civil war between the two communities of Cyprus. Greek and Turkish Cypriots started the war in the capital due to conflict between the two communities. The Green Line is a de facto division or informally acknowledged border on the island of Cyprus, and it is patrolled and controlled by the United Nations Peacekeeping Force.
The name Green Line is given to the restricted area because General Peter Young of the British Joint Force drew the line on the map with a green pencil. The Green Line, also called Atilla Line by the Turkish Cypriots, has been made through the central city of Nicosia.
2. Iraq – Kuwait Border
The Iraq-Kuwait border was created so that Iraq would stop invading Kuwait. The United Nations Security Council installed the line of control. The border length is a 190-kilometre fence, and it crosses into Iraq a little 10 kilometres and five kilometres into Kuwait. On each side of the border are heavily armed soldiers patrolling their sides to maintain peace and tranquility between Iraq and Kuwait. The area comes under one of the most severe surveillance areas in the world. Not just soldiers but patrol boats and helicopters are also at work in the Iraq – Kuwait border area to oversee and prevent further disputes.
The Iraq – Kuwait border was newly constructed with electric fencing in 1991, and in 2004 the border was strengthened even more by Kuwait. The dispute and invasion of Kuwait by Iraq were due to the misconception from Iraq’s side that Kuwait was part of Iraq and they had a claim to the land.
3. The Golan Border
The Golan border or Golan Heights is a border separating Syria and Israel. The border results from the six-day war Israel initiated in 1967 over Syria. The Six-Day War or the June War took the Golan Heights from Syria, which resulted in conflict between Arab countries and Israel. The demilitarised zone was not established in the Golan Heights until Israel annexed Syria in 1981 after slowly occupying parts of it by making settlements for Jewish people in the Syrian land. The United Nations had to force a buffer zone between the two countries to stop Israel’s further annexation and occupation of Syrian land.
The Golan border was of utmost importance for Israel as it has religious significance for the Jews and Israel wanted the land to be a part of their country. Still, the United Nations recognises Israel’s efforts as the forceful imposition of laws and jurisdiction in Syria, and the United Nations has acknowledged it as an annexation of Syria.
Conclusion
The demilitarised zones in the world are the quietest yet the most dangerous place on Earth. The restricted areas may be quiet now, but once, the terror and screams of common folks were the sound of those areas. The United Nations controls most demilitarised zones even if the borders are de facto, meaning not legally recognised by the parties involved in the conflict. Some demilitarised zones have been mentioned in this article, but there are more worldwide. It shows that a little bit of conflict can lead to war and the massacre of so many innocent people who must migrate from their land.
