Syrian President Demands Israeli Withdrawal from Golan Heights at UN

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad delivered a strong address at the United Nations General Assembly, accusing Israel of extensive military activity within Syrian territory and demanding a withdrawal to the lines of December 2024. Assad asserted that the Golan Heights "will remain Syrian land" and declared any annexation attempts null and void, citing UN Security Council Resolution 497. He presented detailed figures, claiming Israel conducted approximately 500 air and artillery strikes, over 1,200 incursions into Syrian territory, and detained nearly 300 Syrian civilians.

Assad warned that these actions threaten Syria's stability, particularly as the country recovers from its prolonged civil war. He stated that Israel's actions contradict global trends and evoke painful memories for Syrians. Despite the harsh rhetoric, the Syrian president affirmed his country's commitment to the 1974 disengagement agreement.

He called on the international community to uphold international law and reiterated Syria's demand for an Israeli retreat to the December 2024 lines, rejecting any attempts to establish new realities on the ground. Assad concluded his speech by linking ongoing aggression to regional security concerns but also highlighted a "historic opportunity for peace" for those willing to pursue a just peace that respects everyone's rights.