Israel poses ‘greatest threat’ to regional stability, Syria warns UN Security Council

Israel represents the greatest danger to stability in the Middle East, Syria warned the UN Security Council on Thursday, Anadolu reports.

Permanent Representative to the UN Ibrahim Olabi told council members that Israeli aggression constitutes “the greatest threat facing the stability of the entire region, not just Syria,” pointing to an emergency declaration by 44 nations outside the council chamber that condemned a high-level visit by Israeli leadership to Mount Hermon as an unlawful act and a “blatant violation” of international law.

He emphasized that while Damascus approached US-sponsored security talks in good faith, Israel “responded to dialogue with airstrikes, incursions, and violations and attacks.” He underscored that pursuing a diplomatic arrangement does not mean Damascus will “accept occupation or relinquish the rights of our people,” while defending bilateral cooperation with regional partners as an exercise of sovereign state consent.

Rejecting Israeli claims on communal divisions, Olabi asserted that Syrian Kurds have integrated into state institutions, Syrian Jews are “back renovating their synagogues” and Druze figures who “rejected foreign support” are now in the parliament.

Turkiye acts as ‘responsible state’

Turkiye denounced Israeli operations in southern Syria, condemning “relentless attacks, which target Syria’s infrastructure and capabilities and violate its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

The Turkish mission described high-level Israeli visits into occupied Syrian territory as “provocative,” firmly rejecting efforts to draw parallels between Israel’s occupation and Ankara’s security ties with Damascus.

Strengthening national capabilities remains a sovereign right of Syria and “is not any business of Israel,” said Turkish envoy Ahmet Yildiz, emphasizing that Turkiye acts as a “responsible state” committed to protecting civilians and supporting reconstruction with the consent of Syrian authorities.

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Global demand for immediate Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories

Council members and regional blocs are united in demanding an immediate halt to Israeli operations on Syrian territory and full adherence to the 1974 disengagement accords.

Russia denounced the “unacceptable nature of the aggressive actions by Israel against Syria,” urging Tel Aviv to halt “arbitrary” military operations in the Golan Heights and withdraw forces to established lines.

China reaffirmed that the Golan Heights constitutes occupied Syrian territory, demanding that Israel “cease all military operations in Syrian territory and withdraw its forces without delay” so UN peacekeepers can fulfill their mandate unhindered.

Speaking on behalf of the Arab Group, Oman condemned strikes targeting civil infrastructure, including the Abu al-Duhur airport, noting UN Security Council Resolution 497, which declared Israel’s annexation of the Golan Heights “null and void and without legal effect.”

The UK urged Israel to establish a clear timeline for withdrawal from occupied territory, while France demanded an “immediate cessation” of incursions that undermine regional stability.

The A3 bloc — Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia and Somalia — demanded an end to unilateral cross-border incursions and the release of detained Syrian nationals.

Bahrain and Pakistan reiterated their calls for Israel to vacate occupied lands.

The US took urged mutual restraint and continued engagement through diplomatic mediation.

Israel has occupied the Golan Heights since 1967 and annexed the territory in 1981, a move unrecognized by the international community. Following the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime on Dec. 8, 2024, Israeli forces advanced into the demilitarized buffer zone and areas of Mount Hermon, claiming the 1974 Disengagement Agreement had lapsed.

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