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Syria condemns Israeli airstrikes as sovereignty violations undermining reconstruction

The largest Syrian flag of 600 square meters is hoisted on the tallest pole, 110 meters high, in Tishreen Park of the Syrian capital Damascus on June 4, 2025. (AA Photo)
The largest Syrian flag of 600 square meters is hoisted on the tallest pole, 110 meters high, in Tishreen Park of the Syrian capital Damascus on June 4, 2025. (AA Photo)
June 05, 2025 01:28 PM GMT+03:00

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani condemned Israeli airstrikes as blatant violations of Syrian sovereignty that undermine the country's reconstruction efforts and create conditions for regional instability.

Strikes target progress and stability: Syrian FM

Speaking at a joint press conference with European Union Mediterranean Commissioner Dubravka Suica at Damascus' Tishrin Palace, Shaibani characterized the Israeli attacks as "coordinated provocations aimed at undermining Syria's progress and stability."

"Israel's ongoing air strikes against Syrian territory clearly violate international law and our country's sovereignty," Shaibani said, emphasizing that the attacks threaten Syria's security and create opportunities for destabilizing groups.

The foreign minister stressed Syria's peaceful intentions, stating, "Syria has never been and will never be a threat to anyone in the region. We want reconstruction, not war."

DAMASCUS, SYRIA - JUNE 3: Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani speaks to press at Damascus International Airport upon his return from an official visit to Qatar on June 03, 2025 in Damascus, Syria. ( Bakr Al Kasem - Anadolu Agency )
DAMASCUS, SYRIA - JUNE 3: Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani speaks to press at Damascus International Airport upon his return from an official visit to Qatar on June 03, 2025 in Damascus, Syria. ( Bakr Al Kasem - Anadolu Agency )

1974 cease-fire agreement implementation demanded

Shaibani called for the implementation of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement between Syria and Israel, reiterating that "Syria has always expressed that it does not want war and is focused on the reconstruction process."

The agreement, signed following the 1973 war, established buffer zones and demilitarized areas along the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, which Israel has controlled since 1967.

Latest Israeli retaliation following rocket fire

The condemnation comes after Israel bombed southern Syria in retaliation for overnight rocket fire that triggered air raid sirens in the Golan Heights.

The projectiles, reportedly the first launched from Syria since Bashar al-Assad's fall in December, fell in open areas without causing casualties or damage.

Two unknown groups claimed responsibility for the rocket launches after releasing a video purporting to show the rocket impacts.

Syrian authorities denied government responsibility for the launches, with the Foreign Ministry stating it could not confirm whether rockets were fired, blaming "numerous parties trying to destabilize the region."

DARAA, SYRIA - JUNE 04: A view of damaged Syrian army tanks and other heavy weapons is seen in the Yarmouk area, after Israeli artillery fire hit the area in response to rockets allegedly launched into Daraa, Syria, on June 04, 2025. Israeli forces conducted artillery shelling on the Yarmouk Basin area in Daraa province in southern Syria late Tuesday following claims that two rockets were fired from the area toward the Golan Heights, the Syrian state news agency SANA reported. The Israeli Broadcasting Authority (KAN) said earlier that two rockets were launched from Daraa which landed in an open area in the Golan Heights. The projectiles’ origin remains unclear.  ( Muhammed Malik Hattab - Anadolu Agency )
DARAA, SYRIA - JUNE 04: A view of damaged Syrian army tanks and other heavy weapons is seen in the Yarmouk area, after Israeli artillery fire hit the area in response to rockets allegedly launched into Daraa, Syria, on June 04, 2025. Israeli forces conducted artillery shelling on the Yarmouk Basin area in Daraa province in southern Syria late Tuesday following claims that two rockets were fired from the area toward the Golan Heights, the Syrian state news agency SANA reported. The Israeli Broadcasting Authority (KAN) said earlier that two rockets were launched from Daraa which landed in an open area in the Golan Heights. The projectiles’ origin remains unclear. ( Muhammed Malik Hattab - Anadolu Agency )

Israeli defense minister holds Syria responsible

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz held Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa "directly responsible" for any threats or fire directed at Israel.

"We view the president of Syria as directly responsible for any threat or fire directed at the State of Israel," Katz stated, following Israeli military strikes on what it described as Syrian government weapons.

Israel later conducted a new strike on a Syrian military position in Hama province in central Syria, according to local sources. Israeli armed drones targeted the 66th Air Defense Battalion in Hama, hitting ammunition depots and causing successive explosions.

No casualties were reported from the Hama attack, and neither the Syrian authorities nor Israel has issued official statements regarding the strike.

DARAA, SYRIA - JUNE 04: A view of damaged Syrian army tanks and other heavy weapons is seen in the Yarmouk area, after Israeli artillery fire hit the area in response to rockets allegedly launched into Daraa, Syria, on June 04, 2025. Israeli forces conducted artillery shelling on the Yarmouk Basin area in Daraa province in southern Syria late Tuesday following claims that two rockets were fired from the area toward the Golan Heights, the Syrian state news agency SANA reported. The Israeli Broadcasting Authority (KAN) said earlier that two rockets were launched from Daraa which landed in an open area in the Golan Heights. The projectiles’ origin remains unclear.  ( Muhammed Malik Hattab - Anadolu Agency )
DARAA, SYRIA - JUNE 04: A view of damaged Syrian army tanks and other heavy weapons is seen in the Yarmouk area, after Israeli artillery fire hit the area in response to rockets allegedly launched into Daraa, Syria, on June 04, 2025. Israeli forces conducted artillery shelling on the Yarmouk Basin area in Daraa province in southern Syria late Tuesday following claims that two rockets were fired from the area toward the Golan Heights, the Syrian state news agency SANA reported. The Israeli Broadcasting Authority (KAN) said earlier that two rockets were launched from Daraa which landed in an open area in the Golan Heights. The projectiles’ origin remains unclear. ( Muhammed Malik Hattab - Anadolu Agency )

US envoy meets Netanyahu on Syria policy

U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye and Syria Special Envoy Tom Barrack met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem to discuss Syria and regional developments.

Following the meeting, Barrack posted on X that "President Trump envisions a Syria that cannot be used as a platform by any third party, nation-state, or non-state actor to threaten its neighbors, including Israel."

In a May 30 interview with Syrian TV, Barrack had outlined potential steps toward Syria-Israel peace, suggesting a non-aggression agreement as a first step, followed by mutual border agreements.

"The US role here is simply to initiate dialogue. We want peace here," Barrack said, emphasizing that U.S.-Israel relations are strategic and security-focused rather than religiously based.

June 05, 2025 01:28 PM GMT+03:00
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