Syria interim government calls on UN to act against Israel’s attacks
Syria’s interim government called on the UN Security Council to act to immediately stop Israel’s attacks on Syrian territory and withdraw from areas it has occupied since the fall of the Assad regime last week, in violation of the 1974 disengagement agreement.
In two identical letters addressed to the Security Council and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Syria’s UN envoy Qusay Al-Dahhak stated he was acting “on instructions from his government” to deliver the demands. This appears to be the first message sent to the United Nations by the newly established Syrian interim government.
The letters, dated 9 December, were sent a day after the overthrow of Bashar Al-Assad’s regime.
Al-Dhahhak wrote: “At a time when the Syrian Arab Republic is witnessing a new phase in its history, during which its people aspire to establish a state of freedom, equality and the rule of law to fulfil their hopes for prosperity and stability, the Israeli occupying army has advanced into further areas of Syrian land, including Mount Hermon and Quneitra province.”
On Saturday, the Syrian Civil Defence (White Helmets) also called for the withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from all occupied Syrian territories.
In a statement published on its official website, the organisation said: “At a time when Syrians long for peace and security, having waited eagerly for this historic moment for nearly 14 years, Israel is launching attacks that undermine their dream of building a free, safe and stable country. Israeli forces are advancing into the buffer zone with Syria and adjacent sites in Quneitra and the Damascus countryside.”
The statement further added that “Israel’s air strikes targeting infrastructure, its intimidation of civilians, and the occupation of Syrian land represent a blatant violation of all international laws and Security Council resolutions, infringing on Syria’s sovereignty and the right of its people to live in security and peace.”