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Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa said Wednesday that the Golan Heights will remain Syrian territory, rejecting moves that he said violate Syria's sovereignty and international law after Colombia recognized Israeli sovereignty over the territory last month.
Speaking at the U.N. meeting of world leaders in New York, Sharaa said any attempt to challenge Syria's sovereignty over the Golan Heights would be opposed.
"Any attempts that violate our sovereignty, violate international law, will be stopped. Golan will remain Syrian territory," he said.
Colombia's new hard-right government recognized Israel's claim over the Golan Heights in August.
Israel captured the territory from Syria in 1967 and annexed it in 1981.
Until Colombia's decision, the U.S. had been the only country to recognize Israel's annexation of the Golan Heights.
The United Nations maintains that the plateau is Syrian territory under Israeli military occupation.
In July, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterated that the Golan Heights are part of Syria and described the Israeli occupation as "totally unacceptable."
Sharaa said attempts to challenge Syria's claim would be rejected in line with U.N. Security Council Resolution 497.
Sharaa also used his second appearance at the U.N. rostrum to condemn repeated Israeli attacks on Syria since the fall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
"Israel is launching attacks against Syria. There have been 500 air strikes, more than 1,200 incursions, and 300 detentions," Sharaa said.
"This is at odds with the orientation we're seeing at the global level," he added.
"It is reminiscent of an era that we thought was long gone."
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