Israeli military forces conducted fresh incursions into southwestern Syria on Sunday, advancing toward villages and establishing a checkpoint at Al-Ardah, according to reports from Syria’s state news agency SANA. The operation included shelling in the area and the distribution of leaflets to residents warning them not to obstruct Israeli vehicle movements.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who was visiting Syria at the time, issued a formal condemnation of the military operations. He stated that Syria’s sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity must be fully protected, and characterized Israeli violations of a 1974 agreement governing military disengagement between the two nations as unacceptable. Guterres indicated that the UN would prepare a comprehensive assessment of the situation for submission to the UN Security Council later in the month.
Israeli forces have increased the frequency of military operations within Syrian territory following the fall of the country’s previous government in December 2024. Following that political transition, Israel moved to control a UN-administered buffer zone between the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and Syrian territory, citing the collapse of the longstanding disengagement accord. Israel has since conducted multiple attacks, raids and security operations in the region, and maintains military checkpoints deeper within Syrian territory.
Israeli leadership has indicated plans to maintain a military presence in southern Syria, referred to as a security zone. Syria’s Foreign Minister stated on Saturday that Israel must withdraw from the buffer zone, describing the ongoing military presence as a regional security threat. However, Syria’s President indicated that Damascus is pursuing negotiations with Israel on security arrangements through international mediation, and stated that Syria has no intention of confrontation with Israel, while maintaining that any agreement would not compromise Syrian claims to the occupied Golan Heights.
Guterres’s visit represented the first trip to Syria by a UN secretary-general since 2009, and he characterized the nation as facing a moment of significant opportunity for recovery and reconstruction following its prolonged conflict. The UN leader called for the immediate removal of international economic sanctions imposed during the previous administration.
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