Türkiye's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ahmet Yildiz, has called on Israel to immediately end its reckless acts in Syria and fully adhere to the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, warning that escalating incursions jeopardise Damascus' economic recovery.
"Lasting stability is essential for Syria to rebuild its economy, attract investment, and participate in regional energy and connectivity projects," Yildiz told a UN Security Council session.
"Israel's continued violations of Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity undermine these prospects and show disregard for international law."
Yildiz highlighted southern Syria as an area of grave concern, stressing that "continued military incursions and expansionist actions and words are getting out of control."
He pointed specifically to Israel’s resumption of incursions along the "Sufa 53 line" in Quneitra as an attempt to enforce a fait accompli, urging full compliance with Council resolutions—particularly Resolution 497—and complete withdrawal from the occupied Syrian Golan.
On Monday, the UN also called on Israel to cease violations of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement and fully respect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
"I reiterate the Secretary-General’s call for an end of the violations of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement and full respect for Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity," Deputy Special Envoy for Syria Claudio Cordone told the UN Security Council.
"Diplomacy is the only way to reach agreement on security arrangements, consistent with international law," said Cordone.
Counterterrorism and refugee returns
In his speech, Yildiz noted that the dissolution of the YPG-led SDF terror group opens a pivotal chapter in Syria's national integration, urging final arrangements to be implemented without delay to reinforce unity and social cohesion.
Welcoming Damascus' cooperation with the global coalition countering Daesh terror group, he affirmed that "security and economic recovery must advance hand in hand."
Regarding displacement, Yildiz noted that Syrians under temporary protection in Türkiye dropped from over four million to roughly 2.2 million, adding that returns remain gradual due to economic distress, security conditions, and Israeli cross-border incursions.
Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime on December 8, 2024, Israeli forces invaded the Golan buffer zone and surrounding areas, seizing additional Syrian territory.
