Iran Press/Asia: The fall of Assad’s government on Sunday came after armed groups, spearheaded by the militant coalition Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), captured the Syrian capital. The swift takeover precipitated chaos across the country, creating a power vacuum that Israel moved to exploit by occupying the buffer zone between the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and the rest of Syria.
In a statement on Monday, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry called Israel’s actions a "dangerous escalation" and a "blatant attack on Syria’s sovereignty and unity." The ministry warned that such actions represented a “flagrant violation of international law” and risked further destabilizing the region.
“The policy of imposing a fait accompli pursued by the Israeli occupation, including its attempts to occupy Syrian territories, will lead the region to further violence and tension,” the statement read.
Similarly, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry condemned Israel’s actions, calling them a clear continuation of Israel’s disregard for international law. “This confirms Israel’s determination to undermine Syria’s chances of restoring security, stability, and territorial integrity,” the statement declared, emphasizing that the Golan Heights remains an occupied Arab territory. Riyadh called on the global community to take a firm stance against Israel’s recent moves.
Iraq echoed these sentiments, describing the Israeli actions as a “grave violation under international law.” The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized the importance of preserving Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, urging the UN Security Council to act decisively.
The Golan Heights, a strategically significant region of Syria, has been a focal point of conflict between the Israeli regime and Syria since 1967, when Israel occupied a significant portion of the territory during the Six-Day War. In 1981, Israel annexed the area, a move widely condemned and never recognized internationally.
A UN-brokered ceasefire in 1974 created a buffer zone separating Israeli and Syrian forces in the Heights, overseen by a United Nations peacekeeping force. This zone is now at the center of the latest Israeli aggression.
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