During a recent address to the United Nations Security Council, Assistant Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Khaled Khiari, expressed concerns regarding Israel’s recent military actions in Syria. These actions, Khiari asserted, could significantly undermine Syria’s political transition and thwart the prospects for a new security agreement between Syria and Israel. This sentiment was shared in Khiari’s speech to the Security Council.
Khiari, joined by Jean-Pierre Lacroix, head of the UN Peace Operation, highlighted that the recent activities of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in the Golan Heights and several Syrian cities contravene the 1974 Separation of Forces Agreement between Israel and Syria. This accord was established to create a ceasefire and outline an area of separation along the two countries’ border in the Golan Heights. Despite the accord, Israel has indicated its intention to maintain a presence in Syria indefinitely, even promoting activities such as Passover tours in the contested Golan Heights, a matter recently highlighted by Al Jazeera.
Violations of the ceasefire have prompted multiple UN Security Council resolutions that prohibit the threat or use of force in international relations. These resolutions also call for the cessation of support to armed groups undermining national and regional peace, and for the withdrawal of military forces from disputed territories. Khiari reiterated the importance of both nations honoring their commitments under the Disengagement of Forces Agreement.
The political landscape in Syria is currently unstable, following the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Assad’s regime, which held power for over five decades, was overthrown by the political and militant organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Now under the interim leadership of President Ahmad al-Sharaa, Syria is navigating a fragile political transition. The international community has expressed hopes that Syria can move towards an inclusive political solution, enabling economic recovery and regional stability.
With hundreds of IDF airstrikes reported across Syria, including densely-populated areas like Damascus, Hama, and Homs, civilian casualties have been confirmed. These developments were part of a briefing before the UN Security Council, detailed further in an article on JURIST. The ongoing conflict continues to challenge the prospects for peace and stability in the region.