Ahmet Yildiz, the Permanent Representative of Türkiye to the United Nations, has formally called on Israel to immediately cease what he termed "reckless acts" within Syrian territory. During a session of the UN Security Council, Yildiz emphasized that Israel must fully adhere to the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, warning that the ongoing escalation of military incursions poses a significant threat to the economic recovery of Syria.
"Lasting stability is essential for Syria to rebuild its economy, attract investment, and participate in regional energy and connectivity projects," Yildiz stated. He further argued that Israel’s persistent violations of Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity demonstrate a clear disregard for international law and undermine the country's prospects for development. Yildiz identified southern Syria as an area of grave concern, noting that the combination of military incursions and expansionist rhetoric is becoming increasingly unmanageable.
The Turkish representative specifically highlighted the resumption of Israeli incursions along the "Sufa 53 line" in Quneitra, describing these actions as a deliberate attempt to enforce a fait accompli. He urged full compliance with existing Council resolutions, specifically citing Resolution 497, and demanded a complete withdrawal from the occupied Syrian Golan.
The United Nations also issued a call on Monday for Israel to respect the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement. Deputy Special Envoy for Syria Claudio Cordone reiterated the Secretary-General’s demand for an end to these violations, stating, "Diplomacy is the only way to reach agreement on security arrangements, consistent with international law."
Addressing broader regional issues, Yildiz noted that the dissolution of the YPG-led SDF terror group represents a pivotal chapter for Syria's national integration, calling for final arrangements to be implemented without delay to bolster unity. He welcomed the cooperation between Damascus and the global coalition against the Daesh terror group, affirming that security and economic recovery must advance in tandem. Regarding displacement, Yildiz reported that the number of Syrians under temporary protection in Türkiye has decreased from over four million to approximately 2.2 million. He noted that returns remain gradual due to economic distress, security conditions, and the impact of 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 seized additional Syrian territory.
