Syrian President Demands Immediate Israeli Withdrawal from Golan Heights at UN

Syrian President Ahmed al-Shar'a addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, asserting that the occupied Golan Heights will remain Syrian territory and reaffirming Syria's full commitment to its national sovereignty. He stated that any attempts to impose a fait accompli or violate Syrian sovereignty and international laws would be thwarted, citing UN Security Council Resolution 497.

Al-Shar'a called upon the international community and international legitimacy to uphold their responsibilities and pressure Israel into an immediate and unconditional withdrawal from Syrian territories it recently advanced into. He urged a full return to the lines established by the 1974 disengagement agreement, emphasizing that this withdrawal is a prerequisite for any future security discussions or arrangements.

The Syrian President also criticized past US administrations' recognitions and decisions regarding sovereignty over the Golan, deeming them void and contrary to UN laws. He stressed that the fate of Syrian territories is determined by the Syrian people and their sovereign unity, not by external powers.