Global condemnations flood in over Israeli airstrikes on Syria
France, Turkey, Egypt, Ansar Allah, and the GCC denounce Israeli aggression on Syria, warning of the risks to regional stability and Syrian sovereignty.
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In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, smoke rises from an Israeli airstrike that hit the Syrian Defense Ministry in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, July 16, 2025 (SANA via AP)
Global and regional reactions continued to pour in on Tuesday following the Israeli occupation’s deadly airstrikes on Damascus, with multiple governments and political blocs warning of the dangerous consequences of further escalation in the region.
In a statement from Paris, the French Foreign Ministry condemned "violations against civilians in Syria" and called for an immediate halt to the hostilities, emphasizing the need to protect civilian lives and uphold international humanitarian law.
Turkey's Foreign Ministry also strongly criticized the strikes, denouncing them as deliberate attempts to derail efforts to restore peace and stability in Syria. Ankara reiterated its rejection of all acts that violate Syrian sovereignty.
In Yemen, the political bureau of the Ansar Allah movement condemned what it described as the "brutal Zionist aggression on Syria," calling it a flagrant violation of Syrian sovereignty and an extension of the occupation’s hostile regional agenda.
From Iraq, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the Republic's strong condemnation of the Israeli bombing "in a flagrant and repeated violation of international law and UN resolutions," affirming its absolute rejection of endangering the lives of Syrian civilians and exacerbating their humanitarian suffering and emphasizing the need to stop the escalation, as it poses a direct threat to the security and stability of the region.
The Ministry also reiterated Iraq's firm position against any attacks that violate the sovereignty of states and warned of the danger of the Israeli entity resorting to pretexts or justifications as a cover to achieve expansionist goals that undermine stability in the region.
GCC condemns Israeli strikes
Meanwhile, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) issued a statement strongly condemning the Israeli occupation’s attacks on Syrian territory. The GCC affirmed its full solidarity with the Syrian people and underscored the importance of respecting international law and sovereignty.
The wave of denunciations underscores growing international alarm over the potential for regional destabilization, as "Israel" escalates its military operations deep into Syrian territory.
Egypt decries Israeli violations
Egypt strongly condemned the repeated Israeli attacks on Syrian and Lebanese territories, describing them as blatant violations of the sovereignty of two brotherly Arab nations and a breach of international law and relevant UN resolutions.
In a statement issued by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, Cairo stressed the urgent importance of respecting the sovereignty of both Lebanon and Syria, rejecting any interference in their internal affairs. The ministry reiterated the need to preserve the unity and territorial integrity of both countries.
Egypt also warned that such repeated Israeli violations risk exacerbating tensions and serve as a major destabilizing factor, particularly at a time when both regional and international actors, including Egypt, are actively engaged in efforts to de-escalate and support regional security and stability.
Lebanese Progressive Socialist Party steps in
Meanwhile, the Progressive Socialist Party in Lebanon announced that it has launched a series of high-level contacts aimed at securing a ceasefire in the Syrian province of Sweida, where recent violence has raised alarm among local and regional actors.
According to a statement from the party's media commission, the initiative aligns with the consistent position of former party leader Walid Jumblatt, who, from the outset of the deadly clashes, has insisted that a ceasefire is the essential first step toward a fair and lasting political solution.
The statement emphasized that halting the bloodshed in Sweida is critical to preventing further escalation and allowing space for dialogue during a period of heightened regional volatility driven by Israeli military actions and internal unrest.
Jumblatt urged the people of Sweida to remain vigilant against Israeli provocations and attempts to incite internal strife. He emphasized that a political solution, guaranteed by the Syrian state, is the only viable path forward.
He called on Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri to take a “historic stance” and reveal the identities of those who pressured him, arguing that the time has come to put an end to wavering positions.
Jumblatt also acknowledged positive engagement from what he described as "national Arab factions" in Sweida, despite some violations. He advocated for a full reconciliation process with Bedouin tribes, including the handover of weapons and integration into a broader national settlement.
'Israel' attacks Syria amid sectarian clashes
These airstrikes come hours after intense Israeli aircraft activity in southern Syrian airspace, coinciding with ongoing tensions and clashes inside Sweida city for the third consecutive day.
Local sources told Al Mayadeen that Israeli occupation warplanes conducted multiple airstrikes hitting supply routes used by military groups linked to Syria's transitional Defense Ministry, both near the city of Sweida and in areas surrounding Daraa province.
The sources confirmed that the Israeli airstrikes directly targeted Thaala military airport, causing casualties among stationed forces, while also hitting positions and gatherings of armed factions linked to Syria's Transitional Ministry of Defense during two separate strikes on the 52nd Brigade east of Daraa.
Violent clashes have broken out again in southern Syria's Sweida despite this week's ceasefire announcement, as Al Mayadeen's correspondent reported Wednesday that the truce agreement 'was not implemented' and that combat has escalated in intensity.