Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa urged international pressure on Israel for an immediate troop withdrawal from southern Syria during an Arab summit. He criticized Israel’s military presence, citing threats to Syrian sovereignty and regional security. The summit also featured discussions on Syria’s future and responses to past U.S. proposals concerning Gaza.
In a recent Arab summit, Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa urged the international community to exert pressure on Israel for an immediate withdrawal of its troops from southern Syria. This call to action emerged after Sharaa’s Islamist faction, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, played a pivotal role in deposing long-serving Syrian president Bashar al-Assad. Israel has maintained a military presence in the area, particularly in a UN-patrolled buffer zone established to separate Israeli and Syrian forces since 1974.
Since occupying the Golan Heights in 1967 and subsequently annexing the region, Israel has faced condemnation from the United Nations. Sharaa, highlighting the gravity of the situation, addressed how Israel’s military actions not only undermine Syria’s sovereignty but also pose a threat to regional security. Additionally, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently mandated the complete demilitarization of southern Syria to prevent the new Syrian authorities from establishing a presence there.
During his attendance at the Arab League summit held in Cairo, Sharaa interacted with prominent figures such as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The discussions centered around Syria’s potential for a new direction amidst ongoing challenges. The UN envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, denounced Israel’s recent military escalations, including air strikes targeting Syrian installations.
Under Assad’s rule, Syria faced suspension from the Arab League due to the violent crackdown on 2011 protests, which precipitated a devastating civil war. However, in 2023, Syria was re-admitted to the League, largely influenced by Saudi Arabia’s pivotal role in facilitating this reintegration. Sharaa was granted a travel ban exemption from a UN Security Council committee, allowing him to participate in the summit despite being on a sanctions list.
The summit served as a critical response to a controversial proposal from former President Donald Trump regarding Gaza’s administration. Sharaa vocally condemned Trump’s plan, labeling it “a very huge crime that cannot happen.” This highlights Syria’s precarious position in regional geopolitics as it navigates complex diplomatic challenges.
Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has called for international action to pressure Israel to withdraw from southern Syria, emphasizing the violation of Syrian sovereignty and threats to regional stability. At the Arab summit in Cairo, discussions included vital interactions with key international leaders. Sharaa’s condemnation of Trump’s Gaza proposal underscores the ongoing complexities Syria faces in geopolitical matters as it seeks to re-establish its position on the regional stage.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
