Damascus - New York: Europe and the Arabs
"Syria is at a crossroads and deserves an opportunity to continue working toward a comprehensive political transition," a senior UN official told the UN Security Council, reiterating his warning that recent Israeli actions in Syria undermine efforts to build a new Syria at peace with itself and its neighbors and destabilize it at a sensitive time.
In his briefing to the Security Council, Khaled Khiari, the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Middle East, Asia and the Pacific Affairs, referred to his regular briefings to the Council – since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government on December 8, 2024 – regarding Israeli violations of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement between Israel and Syria. According to the UN Daily News Bulletin, a copy of which we received on Friday morning, he added: "The Secretary-General has been clear in his condemnation of all actions that contravene the agreement." Khiari noted that hundreds of Israeli airstrikes have been reported across Syria since that date, in the southwest, the Syrian coast, northeastern Syria, Damascus, Hama, and Homs, and that Israeli officials have also spoken of Israel's intention to remain in Syria for the foreseeable future.
Khiari warned that "such facts on the ground cannot be easily changed. They already threaten the fragile political transition process in Syria."
He emphasized that the Security Council's commitment to Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity is becoming increasingly important, adding: "Syria's opportunity to achieve stability after 14 years of conflict must be supported and protected, for the sake of both Syrians and Israelis. This is the only way to achieve regional peace and security."
He emphasized that short-term, tactical security measures and gains should not undermine the prospects for a peace agreement between the two neighbors and long-term stability along their internationally recognized border. A Volatile Situation
For his part, the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, said, "The situation in the area of ​​operations of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) remains volatile and continues to be characterized by significant violations of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, with the Israeli military entering the area of ​​separation since December 8."
He noted that the Israeli military occupies 12 positions on the side known as "Bravo" or "B" (the line separating the area of ​​separation from Syrian territory), adding that the Israeli military continues to build barriers to prevent movement along the ceasefire line.
He added that the Israeli military "continues to impose some restrictions on the movement of UNDOF and Observer Group Golan personnel in the area of ​​separation. Restrictions also continue on the movement of the local population."
He noted that "residents of some areas have protested against the disruptions caused by Israeli military activities, including farming, the detention of civilians, and the seizure of large numbers of livestock. Some residents have also appealed to UNDOF to demand that the Israeli military leave their villages." The mission is essential for stability in the region.
The Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations stated that UNDOF continues to coordinate with both parties, discussing specific issues affecting its operations, as well as complaints brought to it by residents of the Area of ​​Separation.
He noted that in their interactions with UNDOF leadership, senior Israeli military officials emphasized that their presence in the Area of ​​Separation "is necessary to secure it from what they describe as 'terrorist elements' and stated that Israel has no territorial ambitions in Syria."
He further explained that UNDOF continues to strengthen its coordination mechanism through new liaison arrangements with the Syrian authorities, "including enhanced information-sharing protocols and regular consultative meetings."
Lacroix emphasized that it is essential for all parties to fulfill their obligations under the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, adding that "all actions contrary to the agreement are unacceptable."
The UN official emphasized the need for UNDOF to enjoy freedom of movement in its area of ​​operations, emphasizing that the mission "remains essential to the stability of the Golan and the region."