12 Countries Condemn Israeli Strikes On Syria, Demand Withdrawal Of Israeli Forces

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 22 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and 11 other countries have strongly condemned Israeli airstrikes targeting the Abu al-Duhur military airbase in northwestern Syria, describing the attacks as “an extreme escalation” and “a flagrant violation” of Syria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and political unity.

In a joint statement on Friday, the foreign ministers of Malaysia, Türkiye, Algeria, Indonesia, Jordan, Lebanon, Mauritania, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Somalia expressed deep concern over the continuous targeting and degradation of Syria’s territory and infrastructure.

“These attacks constitute an extreme escalation and a flagrant violation of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political unity of the Syrian Arab Republic,” the statement said.

The ministers warned that such actions directly risk undermining Syria’s efforts to restore security, rebuild national institutions and address the humanitarian consequences of years of prolonged conflict.

They further stressed that Israel’s continued violations of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity risk further escalating tensions, undermining regional peace and stability, and eroding respect for international law and the principles of the Charter of the United Nations (UN).

The ministers called on the international community to adopt “a firm, clear and principled position” in the face of what they described as continued aggression against Syria.

They also urged the international community to take “concrete steps, in accordance with international law and the Charter of the UN, to bring an end to these violations”.

The ministers specifically called for “full respect for the 1974 Disengagement Agreement and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the areas they have occupied”, saying such measures were necessary “to prevent further escalation and protect regional peace and stability”.

The 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement between Syria and Israel established a buffer zone and separation of forces following the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, with the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) deployed to monitor its implementation.

The ministers also underscored “the imperative of respect for Syria’s sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and political unity” and stressed their rejection of “any attempt to undermine them”.

The joint statement comes amid heightened regional tensions, with the 12 countries warning that continued military actions against Syrian territory could further threaten peace and stability in the region.

The ministers reiterated that respect for international law and the UN Charter remains essential to preventing further escalation and safeguarding regional peace and stability.

-- BERNAMA