Israeli actions breach Syrian sovereignty, fuel instability: UN

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
17 Jul 2025 23:11

UN Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari warned that "Israel’s" actions in Syria violate its sovereignty and further destabilize the region, urging both sides to avoid steps that threaten peace.

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Security forces inspect the damaged Syrian Defense Ministry building hit by several Israeli airstrikes, in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, July 16, 2025. (AP)

A senior United Nations official has condemned "Israel’s" recent aggression in Syria, stating that it violates Syrian sovereignty and risks exacerbating regional instability during a sensitive moment.

Khaled Khiari, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Middle East and Asia Pacific Affairs, made the remarks during an emergency UN session held to address the situation in Syria.

“In addition to violating Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, Israel’s actions undermine a force to build a new Syria at peace with itself and the region, and further destabilize Syria at a sensitive time,” Khiari said, emphasizing the importance of restraint from all parties involved in the conflict.

“It is vital that both Israel and Syria refrain from all actions that could undermine stability in the region,” he added.

On another note, Khiari has called on Syrian authorities to carry out a transparent and thorough investigation into the recent escalation of violence in Suwayda.

The UN official emphasized the importance of conducting the investigation in accordance with international standards. Speaking during an emergency session on Syria, Khiari stated that completing the investigation would help build confidence among Syrian citizens and demonstrate the government’s commitment to their protection.

The UN has repeatedly warned that ongoing military confrontations, particularly involving foreign intervention, threaten long-term peace efforts and deepen humanitarian challenges in Syria.

Latest updates in Syria

Syrian Arab Army units began withdrawing from the southern city of Sweida on Wednesday, marking the implementation of a ceasefire agreement reached between the Syrian state and senior Druze religious leaders in the province, according to the state-run SANA news agency.

The withdrawal follows an earlier announcement by the Interior Ministry confirming that a full ceasefire had been agreed upon after several days of armed clashes and heightened security tensions in the city.

However, the Israeli aggression on different regions of Syria continues despite efforts to de-escalate. Yesterday, the Trump administration was reportedly nearing a de-escalation agreement between Syria and the Israeli occupation, following a series of intense Israeli airstrikes on Damascus.

According to Axios, a senior US official confirmed on Wednesday that Washington is mediating efforts to prevent further escalation between the two sides.

Earlier on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters at the White House that he expected “progress toward de-escalation in the coming hours,” referring to heightened tensions triggered by Israeli strikes on Syrian military targets in the capital.

The diplomatic push comes as the US State Department publicly called on the Syrian government to withdraw its troops, particularly from southern regions such as Sweida, where fierce clashes resumed despite a ceasefire agreement announced earlier this week.