Al Shara says Israeli aggression is undermining ‘rising’ Syria

Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara denounced Israeli aggression on Syrian territory, claiming it was undermining his nation's progress. During a UN General Assembly address in New York, Al Shara stated that the world celebrated Syria's return, but Israel was carrying out hundreds of air strikes and incursions. He alleged that there had been 500 air strikes, over 1,200 incursions, and 300 detentions, describing the activities as a threat to regional peace and security.

Israeli troops entered a UN-monitored buffer zone following the fall of Bashar Al Assad's regime in December 2024, labeling it a temporary measure to protect the border. However, Israel conducted numerous strikes on Syrian military facilities and seized positions further inside Syria. The Syrian government and the UN argue that this deployment violates Syria's sovereignty and a 1974 disengagement agreement from the 1973 Middle East conflict.

Al Shara reiterated Syria's commitment to the 1974 agreement and demanded Israeli forces withdraw to their positions from December 8, 2024. He rejected Israeli attempts to impose a fait accompli on Syria and called for just peace that respects all parties' rights. Turning to Syria's recovery from the 13-year civil war, Al Shara reported that Damascus had ended the violence, restored state institutions, brought weapons under state control, and started reconstruction.

Sanctions were lifted, production resumed, and agricultural output increased. More than 3.5 million refugees and internally displaced people returned to Syria, and Al Shara introduced the "Syria without refugee camps" initiative to eliminate displacement. Universities and schools were rebuilt to restore education services. Syria reestablished diplomatic ties with the international community, with over 100 states communicating with Damascus and more than 60 diplomatic missions operating in the capital.

The nation cooperates with international organizations such as the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the International Atomic Energy Agency. Al Shara emphasized that Syria's transformation from crisis to opportunity for many countries highlights the flawedness of regional development plans that overlook Syria.

He reaffirmed Syria's commitment to restoring its dignity and expressed his intention to continue rebuilding the country at the 81st UN General Assembly, aiming to secure benefits from strategic partnerships at the subsequent session.