Syria Urges UN to Protect Its Sovereignty Against Israeli Attacks

Syria has urged the international community to defend its sovereignty against Israeli attacks, pledging to fulfil its international obligations and rebuild trust following decades of rule by the ousted regime.

Addressing the UN General Assembly on Friday, Syria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ibrahim Olabi, said the country was working to restore stability, combat terrorism and drug smuggling, and strengthen cooperation with international institutions.

Olabi condemned Israeli attacks on Syria, saying they extended beyond violations and incursions in the country’s south to include airstrikes on Syrian sites on the same day International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi visited to discuss Syria’s nuclear file.

He said Syria was pursuing transparent cooperation with the IAEA and seeking to resolve outstanding nuclear and chemical weapons issues inherited from the ousted regime, despite continued Israeli actions that undermine its sovereignty and security.

Olabi called on the international community to support Syria’s efforts and uphold international law. He also pointed to demonstrations held across the country on Friday against the occupation.

He said Syria’s new leadership had chosen to honour its international obligations and rebuild relations with international institutions, contrasting its approach with that of the former regime, which he accused of using chemical weapons, facilitating drug smuggling and destabilising the region.

For years, the ousted government had obstructed international efforts to resolve outstanding issues, Olabi said, turning Syria into a source of cross-border threats and a theatre of regional confrontation rather than cooperation.

Syrians and people across the region had paid a heavy price for that legacy, he added, noting that the new authorities were working to secure the country’s borders, combat terrorism and drug networks, and address inherited nuclear and chemical weapons issues.

Cooperation with nuclear watchdog

Olabi cited Syria’s cooperation with the IAEA as evidence of a significant shift in its approach to international commitments.

He said that after nearly 15 years of restricting the agency’s access, Syria had opened all relevant sites without restrictions, voluntarily disclosed previously undeclared nuclear materials and placed them under IAEA safeguards within the country.

That cooperation had led to the removal of the inherited finding of non-compliance against Syria, Olabi added.

He said Syria believed regional security could be achieved through partnership, transparency and adherence to international obligations rather than confrontation and mistrust.

The shift was particularly significant amid declining confidence in the multilateral system, escalating conflicts and arms races, he said, stressing that diplomacy and international law must regain their standing.

“The new Syria has chosen to shoulder its responsibilities with courage and, through its commitment and cooperation, uphold an international system that is crumbling under the weight of violations, with its credibility and effectiveness facing a serious test,” Olabi said.

He urged the international community to support Syria’s efforts as developments in southern Syria continued and demonstrations against the occupation took place across the country.