Syria on Tuesday strongly condemned Israeli airstrikes targeting the Abu al-Duhur military airport in Idlib province early Tuesday, describing them as an “unjustified aggression and flagrant violation” of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as a dangerous escalation threatening security and stability in the region.
The condemnation came in two identical letters submitted by Syria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ibrahim Albi, on Tuesday to UN Secretary-General António Guterres and UN Security Council President Cristina Lassen.
Syria said in the letters that Israel carried out eight airstrikes on the Abu al-Duhur military airport in Idlib province on Tuesday, August 18. It condemned the attack, noting that the strikes came as Syria was working to secure its borders, consolidate stability, build its capacity to combat terrorism, ISIS and cross-border drug-trafficking networks, and create a safe environment for the return of refugees.
Syria also referred to the UN secretary-general’s description of the country during his recent visit as a “pillar of stability in the Middle East,” in recognition of the efforts being made in these areas.
It said the attack also took place on the same day that Syria announced, in cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), efforts to protect Syria and the world from the nuclear program dating back to the Assad era, while also working to close the file on chemical weapons from that period.
Syria also referred to the visit by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to Syria last week and his call for “global solidarity with Syria” as the country reaches a pivotal stage concerning return and recovery.
Syria said Israel was seeking through its continued attacks on Syrian sovereignty to undermine these efforts and “turn back the clock,” accusing Israel of violating international laws and norms, including the UN Charter and Security Council resolutions.
Syria stressed that the continuation of Israeli attacks since December 8, 2024, which it said have included airstrikes, incursions and abductions, has taken place while the Syrian state has exercised restraint and worked to consolidate stability and avoid escalation.
It said the continued attacks constitute a “deliberate obstruction of the path toward understandings and the establishment of security in the region,” warning that they risk pushing the region toward further tension and instability.
Syria renewed its call for an immediate halt to the violations and attacks and for Israel to be compelled to fully implement the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement. It also demanded Israel’s “full and unconditional” withdrawal from the territories it entered after December 8, 2024, as well as from the occupied Syrian Golan, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolutions 242, 338 and 497 and UN General Assembly Resolution 73/80.
Syria affirmed that its efforts to become a “pillar of security and stability” at both the regional and international levels do not conflict with its right to defend its national rights and interests through legitimate means guaranteed by international law and norms.
Syria said the Israeli attacks would not divert Syrians from the path they had chosen to build their state and strengthen its partnerships, holding Israel responsible for the escalation.
It called on the international community and the Security Council to clearly condemn the strikes, take a firm position against what it described as repeated Israeli violations of Syrian sovereignty, work to stop them, and hold Israel accountable under international laws and conventions.
Syria had earlier condemned the Israeli airstrikes on Abu al-Duhur Airport, describing them as an unjustified aggression, a flagrant violation of its sovereignty and a dangerous escalation threatening regional security.
SANA
