Damascus, Sep. 25 (SANA) Israeli occupation aggressions on Syrian territory continue to escalate alongside intensive diplomatic efforts led by Damascus through regional and international mediation aimed at halting cross-border incursions, airstrikes, and detentions, while strictly upholding Syria’s national sovereignty and the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.
From air strikes to entrenched military presence
Israeli occupation actions in southern Syria have expanded beyond air strikes over recent months to include repeated ground incursions, raids, home searches, detentions, and the establishment of military checkpoints inside Syrian territory.
On September 8, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic reported that Israeli occupation military activity in southern Syria has become “sustained and entrenched” following field visits to Quneitra and Daraa. The commission documented incursions, patrols, and a network of internal checkpoints, noting that as of July 2026, at least 49 individuals, including two children, were detained from Syrian territory. The commission emphasized that such actions by the Israeli occupation may amount to war crimes, stressing that violations of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are unacceptable and must cease immediately.
Security justifications tested by UN findings
While the Israeli occupation claims these ground deployments are temporary and strictly tied to security considerations, facts documented by the United Nations challenge this narrative by pointing to expanding and continuous military presence rather than limited operations.
On September 17, Deputy Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria Claudio Cordone told the UN Security Council that Israeli occupation military activity east of the ceasefire line—including near-daily incursions, house searches, detentions, and damage to farmland—violates Syrian sovereignty and contradicts the 1974 Disengagement Agreement. Cordoni warned that military escalation in the occupied Syrian Golan and Mount Hermon risks undermining national recovery efforts and threatening broader regional stability.
Mount Hermon incursion reaches the UN Security Council
The diplomatic standoff intensified after the Prime Minister of the Israeli occupation, accompanied by military officials, illegally entered Mount Hermon inside Syrian territory on September 9. Damascus condemned the action as a flagrant violation of Syrian sovereignty and international law.
The move prompted immediate diplomatic action in New York. On September 11, representatives from multiple nations—including Bahrain, China, Denmark, France, Pakistan, Russia, and Somalia—joined a demonstration outside the UN Security Council to condemn the illegal entry by Israeli occupation officials, reaffirm Syria’s territorial integrity, and demand strict adherence to the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.
Forty-four nations rally behind Syrian sovereignty
During the UN Security Council session on September 17, Permanent Representative of Syria to the UN Ibrahim Olabi announced that 44 nations expressed support for Syria following the Mount Hermon incident. Ambassador Olabi emphasized that despite ongoing provocations by the Israeli occupation, Damascus has consciously chosen the path of diplomacy and mediation.
Damascus has repeatedly stated its intention to avoid a wider regional escalation, opting instead to leverage political channels to establish mechanisms that de-escalate tensions and safeguard national territory.
Direct and indirect negotiations in Jordan
Syria’s strategy combines international advocacy with active direct and indirect negotiation channels. In August, US-mediated talks took place in Jordan focusing on reducing field tensions, halting military operations, and reviving discussions around a security framework. Throughout these negotiations, Syrian delegates maintained a firm position demanding full Israeli occupation withdrawal to previous positions and the complete reinstatement of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.
Broadening the diplomatic track in New York
These developments coincide with Syria’s participation in the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly in New York. The platform allows Syrian diplomats to address Israeli occupation incursions alongside broader national priorities, including political transition, economic recovery, reconstruction, and the voluntary return of displaced persons. By pursuing this dual approach, Damascus reinforces its territorial rights on the world stage while advancing internal stability and international cooperation.
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