The United Nations has reiterated its opposition to any breach of Syria’s territorial integrity following Israel’s seizure of a buffer zone in the Golan Heights after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s government.
Responding to reports of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) targeting 320 Syrian military sites, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric stated, “We stand firmly against any violation of Syria’s territorial integrity and strongly oppose these attacks.”
Since the fall of the al-Assad regime, Israel has intensified its military operations in Syria, conducting airstrikes on military assets and claiming control over the demilitarised buffer zone in the Golan Heights, according to Xinhua news agency.
Dujarric reaffirmed the UN’s stance that the Golan Heights remains occupied Syrian territory. He criticised the IDF’s actions, highlighting violations of the disengagement agreement and warning against regional encroachments on Syria.
“This is a critical moment for Syria,” Dujarric said. “It should be an opportunity for regional and global actors to support the Syrian people in determining their own future through a Syrian-led, Syrian-owned, and inclusive process.”
Geir Pedersen, the UN secretary-general’s special envoy for Syria, called on Israel to halt its military operations, emphasising the urgency of de-escalating conflicts across the Middle East. “The continued Israeli incursions and bombings in Syria are deeply concerning and must stop,” he said.
