New York (Web Desk): Pakistan has told the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) that Israel’s recent air strikes across Syria represent flagrant violations of international law and have seriously undermined efforts aimed at political stabilization and national reconciliation in the country.
Addressing the 15-member Council during a briefing on the situation in Syria, Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN Asim Iftikhar Ahmad stated.
“We are witnessing a deeply troubling pattern: continued, unprovoked Israeli military aggression; repeated violations of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement; an illegal military presence in the Area of Separation; and open declarations of indefinite occupation,” he said.
The Pakistani envoy raised concern over the rising number of attacks on multiple Syrian locations, including civilian infrastructure and urban centres, warning that these military operations have resulted in civilian casualties and pose a severe threat to both regional and international peace and security.
“The Security Council cannot allow illegal military actions to set dangerous precedents,” Ambassador Asim emphasized, noting that just last month, the Council had reaffirmed Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, calling for adherence to these foundational principles.
He pointed out that Israel’s continued actions stand in direct violation of this international consensus and urged the Council to respond with resolve, saying the international community “must, therefore, act decisively and ensure accountability.”
The Pakistani envoy further conveyed Pakistan’s deep concern about the broader implications of Israel’s conduct across the region, cautioning that the ongoing escalation could ignite a larger conflict at a time when diplomacy, de-escalation, and reconstruction should be prioritized.
Reiterating Pakistan’s stance, the Pakistani envoy said that Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be fully respected, and stressed that Israel’s occupation of the Syrian Golan Heights remains illegal and is “null and void.”
He called on the Council to take a clear position, stating, “The Council must demand Israel’s complete withdrawal from the occupied Golan Heights.”
Ambassador Asim also reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process, anchored in the framework of Security Council resolution 2254.
He maintained that the path to sustainable peace in Syria lies through inclusive political transition, national unity, and reconciliation.
“Recent progress—including the formation of a transitional government, adoption of an interim constitution, and integration of civil and military institutions—must not be derailed by external military interference,” he cautioned.
Addressing the humanitarian toll of the strikes, he described the consequences as devastating and reminded the UN body of the already dire needs on the ground, stating that with over 16 million people requiring assistance, “the deliberate targeting of civilian areas and infrastructure only deepens the crisis and violates the core principles of international humanitarian law.”
