As usual, we have multiple causes for an event/outcome, although I do agree with both of your comments, in general.

For example .. this event may have some weight:

The drought caused 75 percent of Syria’s farms to fail and 85 percent of livestock to die between 2006 and 2011, according to the United Nations.

Second piece of evidence is that Israel is compulsively possessive about Golan Heights (hence their recent encroachment further into this yummy piece of land as Syria disappears) because it is the source of water i.e. Jordan river. This apart from possessing higher ground, militarily, which is handy.

Somewhat environmental, but just may point to climatic conditions that were are experiencing at the moment.