Syria demands Israel halt military operations, calls for Golan Heights withdrawal

Ahmad al-Sharaa told the United Nations that the international community is welcoming Syria's reintegration into the global arena, but Israeli military operations are creating obstacles to normalcy. He cited what he characterized as 500 airstrikes, over 1,200 incursions into Syrian territory, and approximately 300 detentions by Israeli forces since Syria's political transition.

Al-Sharaa reasserted Syria's territorial claims over the Golan Heights, demanding Israel's return to the 1974 disengagement agreement that separated Syrian and Israeli forces on the strategic plateau. The position reflects the incoming Syrian administration's stance on long-standing disputes with its neighbor.

The Syrian official warned that if Israeli military operations continue unabated, prospects for normalized relations or dialogue between Damascus and Jerusalem would be significantly diminished. His comments underscored tensions between Syria's new government and Israel as the region navigates a new political landscape following recent developments in Damascus.