Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa reiterated at the UN that the Golan Heights are Syrian territories and any attempts to violate sovereignty will be stopped. He stated this after Colombia recognized Israeli sovereignty over the region last month. Al-Sharaa also mentioned that Syria and Israel were close to a security agreement before Israel withdrew from negotiations.
The Syrian president's firm stance on the Golan Heights, coupled with past near-agreements with Israel, highlights the ongoing territorial dispute and the complex diplomatic landscape in the Middle East, impacting regional stability and potential peace processes.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa asserted on Wednesday that the Golan Heights will remain Syrian territory, a stance reiterated at a UN meeting of world leaders in New York. His comments followed Colombia's recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the strategically important region last month. Al-Sharaa stated that any attempts to violate Syria's sovereignty and international law would be thwarted, referencing Security Council Resolution 497.
Speaking at an Atlantic Council event on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, al-Sharaa also revealed that Syria and Israel had been close to reaching a security agreement, with negotiations nearly 90% complete, before Israel withdrew from the discussions. He suggested that these security arrangements could have paved the way for a broader peace agreement.
Al-Sharaa firmly rejected any debate over the status of the Golan Heights, emphasizing that it is Syrian territory recognized by the UN and over 137 countries. He also addressed the October 7 attacks, acknowledging the incident but arguing that Israeli policy should not be dictated solely by it, pointing to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. He suggested that Israel needed to change its policies to ensure its own security by respecting the security of others.
Al-Sharaa also recalled a past interaction with US President Donald Trump regarding the Golan Heights, where he humorously suggested Trump give New Jersey to Israelis if he was going to cede Syrian territory. He stressed that the Golan Heights belonged to its own people, not to any president or external entity.
Syria has repeatedly demanded that Israeli forces withdraw from its territory, calling for international pressure on Israel to fully pull out from the south. Despite Syria posing no threat to Israel, Israeli forces have conducted incursions and airstrikes within Syria, resulting in civilian casualties and damage to military sites.
Pick the topics you care about. Get only what matters, on your cadence.