Cuba calls for preserving Syria's sovereignty, territorial integrity
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In 1973, Cuba deployed a tank battalion to fight with Syria in the war against "Israel", led by then-Syrian President Hafez al-Assad, the father of Bashar al-Assad, the ousted president.
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Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel attends a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council of the Eurasian Economic Union at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (AP)
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel and Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla addressed the ousting of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad this Sunday.
Diaz-Canel shared on X that he spoke with the ambassador in Syria and expressed concern about events taking place as well as called on the preservation of the sovereignty of Syria, its territorial integrity, and independence, as well as the safety of the diplomatic missions located there.
Conversé hoy con nuestro embajador en la República Árabe de Siria. Nos preocupan los acontecimientos ocurridos en esta nación. Llamamos a preservar la soberanía, la integridad territorial y la independencia de Siria y la seguridad de las misiones diplomáticas radicadas allí.
— Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez (@DiazCanelB) December 9, 2024
A few hours later, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla posted a brief statement from Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX) on the situation, expressing deep concern over the rapid developments in Syria that led to the fall of al-Assad’s government by opposing armed groups.
Parrilla reiterated the "strong call to preserve the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of Syria, as well as to respect the integrity and security of the diplomatic missions based in that Arab nation."
The MINREX concluded by adding that the Arab country's diplomatic personnel "are currently safe, adhering to the established plans for such contingencies, with great discipline, unity, and commitment."
In 1973, Cuba deployed a tank battalion to fight with Syria in the war against "Israel", led by then-Syrian President Hafez al-Assad, the father of Bashar al-Assad, the ousted president.
For years, Fidel Castro described the connection between the two countries as a "solid friendship," with Syria backing Havana's political stances. Bashar al-Assad met with Raul Castro on his official visit to Cuba in 2010. Cuban official media said that the visit renewed "the deep and unbreakable bonds of friendship" between the two.
This relationship remained strong on the international scene, as illustrated in March 2021, when Cuba voted against the United Nations Human Rights Council's resolution on the "Situation of Human Rights in the Arab Republic of Syria."
Cuba condemns Israeli occupation of demilitarized Golan
Parrilla also expressed on Monday that Cuba opposes the Israeli army’s occupation of demilitarized zones in the occupied Syrian Golan, calling it a violation of international law and urging that Syrian unity of land must be maintained.
According to the Israeli Channel 13, Israeli aircraft attacked on Sunday about 100 targets in Syria during the past hours. Additionally, The Israeli military occupied Syria’s Mount Hermon with Israeli occupation forces advancing several kilometers into the Syrian Golan, Israeli media reported on Sunday.
The media said Israeli forces took control of the highest point in the Hermon Mountain inside Syrian territory, pointing out that this point lies within the buffer zone and is under the responsibility of the United Nations.
A UN base that oversees the Golan Heights within Syrian territory sits on the summit, according to the report. Israeli media indicated that the Israeli military is intensifying its strikes on Syria, targeting weapons depots and air defense systems; anything that could pose a "future threat" to "Israel".
Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the Israeli occupation military to occupy the buffer zone on the border with Syria.
Speaking from a site near the Syrian border, Netanyahu declared the collapse of the 1974 "disengagement agreement" with Syria, after "Syrian forces have abandoned their positions." He said he ordered the military "to seize the buffer zone and the commanding positions nearby."
Caracas expresses solidarity with Syrian people
On its part, Venezuela said Monday that it is closely monitoring the developments taking place in Syria, expressing its desire for the "brotherly people" to find a path toward a peaceful resolution of their differences, without external interference or the use of violence as a means of addressing political conflicts.
In a statement, Venezuela reiterated its commitment to preserving Syria's territorial integrity, defending its sovereignty and independence, and upholding the values enshrined in the United Nations Charter.
The statement emphasized a particular focus on maintaining the civil, political, and human rights of all Syria's inhabitants without any discrimination, ensuring protection, and fostering peaceful coexistence—religiously, culturally, and ethnically—that enriches the identity of this land.
Caracas also expressed solidarity with the Syrian people "in this critical moment," urging the international community to "strengthen solutions that contribute to peace, eliminate violence and terrorism, and build pathways for comprehensive development in Syria."
