New York, Aug. 19 (SANA) Syria strongly condemned Israeli airstrikes on Abu al-Duhur military airport in Idlib governorate, calling them a blatant violation of its sovereignty and urging the UN Security Council to act to halt repeated Israeli attacks on Syrian territory.
In two identical letters to UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Security Council President Christina Lassen, Syria said Israel carried out eight airstrikes on the airport on Aug. 18, describing them as an unjustified act of aggression and a dangerous escalation threatening regional security and stability.
The letters, submitted by Syria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ibrahim Olabi, said the attacks came as the Syrian Government was working to consolidate stability, secure its borders, combat terrorism and cross-border drug trafficking, and create conditions for the return of refugees.
Syria also pointed to its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency over the nuclear program inherited from the Assad era and its efforts to close the file on Assad-era chemical weapons.
The letters cited recent remarks by Guterres describing Syria as a “pillar of stability in the Middle East,” as well as a call by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees for global solidarity with Syria as it enters a pivotal phase of refugee returns and recovery.
The letters said continued Israeli attacks since Dec. 8, 2024, including airstrikes, incursions and abductions, were deliberately undermining efforts to reach understandings and establish regional security, while Syria had exercised restraint and sought to avoid escalation.
Syria reiterated its call for an immediate end to Israeli violations and for full implementation of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.
It also demanded Israel’s complete and unconditional withdrawal from territories it entered after Dec. 8, 2024, and from the entire occupied Syrian Golan, in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions 242, 338 and 497 and General Assembly Resolution 80/73.
Syria said its efforts to promote regional and international security and stability did not conflict with its right to defend its national rights and interests through legitimate means under international law.
Damascus held the Israeli occupation responsible for the escalation and called on the international community and the Security Council to unequivocally condemn the attacks, take a firm position against repeated violations of Syrian sovereignty and compel Israel to halt them.
R.D/ABD
