In a historic address to the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, September 24, Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa called on the international community to support Syria, warning that repeated Israeli attacks are putting his country and the region at risk.
Speaking at the high-level diplomatic week at the UN, Al-Sharaa noted that Syria, once a “crisis exporter,” now presents opportunities for peace. However, he cautioned that since the fall of the Assad government, Israel has repeatedly launched attacks on its traditional rival, undermining Syria’s fragile recovery and future prospects.
Al-Sharaa pledged to hold those responsible for bloodshed accountable, emphasizing that ongoing Israeli operations in Syria conflict with international cooperation and exacerbate regional crises.
He reaffirmed Syria’s commitment to the ceasefire agreement established after the 1973 Yom Kippur War, though he noted Israel has temporarily disregarded it following attempts to oust Assad. Syria also remains committed to the 1974 troop withdrawal agreement.
Al-Sharaa urged the international community to stand with Syria against Israeli aggression. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated that any agreement must safeguard Israel’s interests, including halting the militarization of southwestern Syria and protecting the Druze community.
Following Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023, Israel has undertaken aggressive military measures across the region.
Sources: Arab News, AFP