Syria · updated 16m ago · 2 min read
Bashar al-Assad Tells UN General Assembly Golan Heights Will Remain Syrian Soil
Golan Heights will remain Syrian territory, with Israeli sovereignty considered null under international law. Israel must withdraw from Syrian territory and cease attempts to impose faits accomplis.
18 outlets told this the same way.
Outlets did split on Aleppo Governor Azzam Al-Gharib Urges Residents Not To Approach Al-Ays Explosion Site →
7 of 9 outlets skipped it: al-Sharaa says talks reached nearly 90% of agreements.
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UNGA: Golan, sovereignty
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad told the United Nations General Assembly that the Golan Heights “will remain Syrian soil,” and he said Israel’s measures to annex it are “null and void” under international law and Security Council Resolution 497 of 1981. Al-Assad accused Israel of continuing incursions, raids, and attacks on Syrian territory, and he said Damascus has chosen the diplomatic path and dialogue, aided by friendly countries, to address these developments.
Al-Assad also said Damascus has moved from a phase of a crisis to a phase where there is an “opportunity around which countries can convene,” and he described the return of more than 3.5 million Syrian refugees voluntarily. Al-Assad added that Syria “has turned the page on the state that sponsors terrorism” after sanctions were lifted, and he concluded with the words: “The wars have taught us that injustice does not last.”
Al-Sharaa rejects fait accompli
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa urged Israel to withdraw from internationally-recognised Syrian territory at the United Nations General Assembly, saying “We reject Israeli attempts to impose a fait accompli.”
Al-Sharaa asserted that Israel carried out “500 air strikes, more than 1,200 incursions and 300 detentions” in Syria, and he said the actions undermined Syria’s security and progress after a devastating civil war.
Al-Sharaa told the UN that Syria emerged “from crisis to an opportunity,” and he said “The bloodshed was stopped; destruction was stopped. Syria started the journey of reconstruction, of recovery.”
Al-Sharaa also cited the “safe and decent” return of about 3.5 million refugees and displaced people, and he demanded that Israel withdraw from the occupied Golan Heights under a 1974 agreement creating a UN-supervised separation zone.
Al-Sharaa said “will remain Syrian territory” after Colombia recognised Israel’s claim of sovereignty over the area last month, and he framed the UNGA speech as his second address following his speech last year.
US talks, peace hopes
American politicians in New York told a Syria Now correspondent that Syria’s future could improve despite challenges, with Tom Barak calling it “the greatest story in the Middle East.”
Brett McGurk told the Syria Now correspondent that “For the first time in 55 years there is finally hope in Syria,” and he said integrating SDF into the state security structures is “very important” and should be done correctly.
Ahmed al-Sharaa also recounted joking with US President Donald Trump about the Golan during a dialogue session led by Brett McGurk, saying: “Why don’t you give New Jersey to the Israelis? You don’t own the Golan to give it today, but you own New Jersey.”
Al-Sharaa insisted that “Beyond this joke, the Golan Heights belong to its people,” and he said it is “not the right of the Syrian president, nor the American president, nor anyone else to relinquish it or cede it to others.”
Al-Sharaa’s UN stance also echoed his demand that “Any attempts that violate our sovereignty, violate international law, will be stopped,” as he vowed that “Golan will remain Syrian territories” under Security Council Resolution 497.