Sabbagh: Israeli occupation escalates the situation in the region by its continuous attacks on Syrian territory

New York – Syria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Bassam Sabbagh has affirmed that the Israeli occupation continues to escalate the situation in the region by continuing its attacks on the Syrian territories and its criminal practices against the people in the occupied Syrian Golan, calling on the Security Council to assume its responsibilities under the UN Charter, put an end to the occupation’s policies and aggressive acts and hold the perpetrators accountable.

Sabbagh made the remarks during the Security Council session on Wednesday on the political situation in Syria.

He clarified that the Israeli attacks come within the framework of Israel’s dangerous and continuous escalation of the situation in the region.

Three days ago, the Israeli occupation launched an air attack with missiles from the direction of the Golan, targeting points in the vicinity of the city of Damascus, which resulted in the injury of a soldier and material losses. This was preceded by a similar attack on the seventh of August, which led to the death of four soldiers and the wounding of others and material losses.

Sabbagh indicated that Syria condemned these attacks and criminal practices, and called on the Security Council to break its silence, fulfill its responsibilities under the Charter, put an end to the policies of occupation and aggression, and hold the perpetrators accountable. He noted that Syria considers that the protection provided by the United States and some other Western countries to the occupying entity makes it a partner in shouldering responsibility for these serious violations of international law and the provisions of the United Nations Charter.

Sabbagh asserted that while all Security Council resolutions related to Syria affirm respect for its sovereignty and independence, and the unity and integrity of its lands, some member states of the Council and outside it are still committing flagrant violations of those resolutions. The US forces continue to be illegally present on Syrian territory by violating Syria’s sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity, and by supporting terrorist organizations and separatist militias.

Sabbagh said: During the meetings related to Syria this month, we recognized how the United States exploited its presidency of the Security Council to serve its malicious policies, by spreading lies and misleading information. This kind of wrong practice distorts the participation of civil society representatives in the Security Council discussions, gives a wrong image of it, and diverts it from its real goal. These practices contradict Washington’s permanent membership in the Security Council.

Sabbagh pointed out that the continued illegal presence of the Turkish forces on the Syrian lands, the policies of Turkification and demographic change that serve their interests and  the persistence of representatives of some Western countries to illegally infiltrate Syrian lands and hold meetings with representatives of separatist militias or the so-called “self-administration impedes stabilization there. He affirmed Syria’s condemnation of these blatant violations, which represent a flagrant violation of the Charter of the United Nations  and relevant Security Council resolutions, a clear example that reflects Western colonial behavior and mentality, and new evidence of these governments destructive role in Syria.

Sabbagh stated that the illegal unilateral coercive measures imposed on the Syrian people by the European Union and the United States, and the looting of national wealth by its forces illegally present on Syrian territory, negatively affect the economic situation and stability in Syria. The improvement of economic conditions and the livelihood of the Syrian people and the provision of an appropriate environment for stability requires an immediate and unconditional lifting of those illegal and inhumane measures, and an end to the illegal military presence on Syrian territory that prevents its people from benefiting from their national resources and wealth, he added.

Sabbagh clarified that within the framework of activating the necessary Arab role in supporting Syria, overcoming the repercussions of the war, and achieving stability in it, a meeting of the Arab Liaison Committee concerned with Syria was held in Egypt on August 15, with the participation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates. During the meeting, the situation in Syria was discussed based on the rule of transparent and direct dialogue and mutual respect for common interests.

The final statement of the meeting affirmed respect for Syria’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, ending terrorist groups, and the exit of all illegal foreign forces from it, Sbbagh pointed out. The statement also included expressing the aspiration to resume work on the constitutional track, and to hold the next meeting of the Constitution Discussion Committee in the Sultanate of Oman, with facilitation and coordination with the United Nations, before the end of this year. The statement also welcomed the agreement reached between Syria and the United Nations on the seventh of this month regarding the delivery of humanitarian aid through Bab al-Hawa border crossing for a period of six months, and Syria’s decision to extend the opening of the Bab al-Salama and al-Rai crossings for three months.

Sabbagh noted that the statement also stressed the need to address the refugee crisis and prioritize it, and to contribute to strengthening conditions suitable for the voluntary and safe return of refugees, as a humanitarian priority. The statement also underlined the need to intensify work to accelerate the implementation of early recovery projects, especially in areas to which refugees are expected to return.

Sabbagh clarified that the Astana process has achieved significant achievements in undermining terrorism in Syria. The participating countries have repeatedly affirmed their firm commitment to Syria’s sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity, and to the goals and principles of the United Nations Charter, and their determination to pursue joint action to combat terrorism and to confront all separatist agendas. It also condemned the activities of terrorist organizations and affiliated groups that operate under different names in various parts of Syria.

Inas Abdulkareem

Hamda Mustafa