Israel's ongoing military actions in Syria undermine the Arab country's political transition, and the opportunity for Syria and Israel to form a new security agreement, UN Assistant Secretary General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Khaled Khiari said before the Security Council on April 10.

During the Security Council briefing, Khiari and the head of UN Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, told ambassadors that the recent activities by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) violate the Separation of Forces Agreement between the two countries, and pose a threat to the fragile political transition in Syria. Israel and Syria signed the accord in 1974, agreeing to a ceasefire and the establishment of an area of separation in the Golan Heights. The border between the two countries is itself disputed, as Israel has occupied most of the Golan Heights since 1967 and unilaterally declared the area as annexed. Since the fall of the Bashar Assad regime in Syria in December 2024, Israel has pushed deeper into the neighboring country and occupied more territory. Israel recently declared that it would remain in southern Syria indefinitely, and has even advertised Passover "hiking tours" in the newly occupied areas.

The UN Security Council has issued multiple resolutions prohibiting the "threat or use of force in international relations." The Security Council in 2023 called for "parties to withdraw all military forces from a disputed area or occupied territories." In resolutions specifically applying to Syria and Israel, it has stressed that both parties must honor their international obligations to respect the terms of the 1974 Separation of Forces Agreement, and to honor the ceasefire and "area of separation."

Khaled Khiari also said in his speech to the Security Council that hundreds of IDF air-strikes across Syria—including in densely-populated cities Damascus, Hama and Homs—have been reported, with several civilian casualties confirmed. Khaled Khiari also called for Israel to respect Syria's sovereignty, emphasizing that stabilizing the country after 14 years of conflict is vital for both Syrians and Israelis. He stated: "Syria is at a crossroads and deserves a chance to continue to work towards an inclusive political transition, where the Syrian people can overcome the conflict, revive their economy, realize their legitimate aspirations, and contribute to regional stability."

Syria's current political transition follows the ouster in December 2024 of the Bashar al-Assad regime, which ruled the country for over five decades and was overthrown by political and militant organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). While officially disbanded, the HTS is the current de facto authority in Syria under the leadership of interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa.

From JURIST, April 11. Used with permission.

See our last report on Israel in Syria.