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Türkiye's U.N. envoy on Monday urged Israel to end its "reckless acts" in Syria, comply fully with the 1974 Disengagement Agreement and withdraw from the occupied Syrian Golan, warning that the situation in southern Syria is “getting out of control.”
"The situation is particularly alarming in southern Syria, where continued military incursions and expansionist actions and words are getting out of control," Türkiye’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ahmet Yildiz told the U.N. Security Council.
"These reckless acts must stop," he stated.
Israeli forces have carried out near-daily operations in southern Syria since the fall of Bashar Assad in December 2024, and the U.N. Human Rights Office recorded about 280 armed Israeli incursions in September, the highest monthly figure this year.
"Lasting stability is essential for Syria to rebuild its economy, attract investment, and participate in regional energy and connectivity projects," Yildiz said.
"Israel’s continued violations of Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity undermine these prospects and show disregard for international law," he added.
He stated that Israel's recent resumption of activities along the so-called "Sufa 53 line" in Quneitra was a further attempt to undermine the 1974 agreement and impose a fait accompli. Israel must comply with the agreement and Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolution 497, and withdraw from the occupied Syrian Golan, he said.
"A stable, sovereign and unified Syria capable of securing its borders, defeating terrorist organizations and contributing to regional peace and economic cooperation serves the interests of all, including Israel," Yildiz said.
The Turkish official stated that despite the scale of its challenges, Syria continues to move in the right direction. "The resilience shown by the Syrian people after years of brutal conflict gives us hope for the future," he said, citing the People's Assembly becoming a fully functioning legislature and its unanimous vote to abolish the Assad-era terrorism court.
"The dissolution of the so-called SDF has opened a new chapter in the integration process," he said, adding, "Remaining arrangements should be finalized and fully implemented without delay, in a manner that reinforces Syria’s sovereignty, unity and social cohesion."
"We welcome the Syrian government’s efforts and determination to work with international partners for the enduring defeat of the Daesh terror group through cooperation with the global coalition," Yildiz said.
"As Daesh adapts its strategy to new realities on the ground, Syria needs strong and professional security institutions capable of countering this evolving threat. Therefore, continued international support to strengthen the capacities of these institutions is essential," he noted.
"Security and economic recovery must advance hand in hand," he said.
Yildiz said the number of Syrians under temporary protection in Türkiye once exceeded 4 million and now stands at about 2.2 million, with returns gradual because of economic conditions, security concerns and Israeli incursions.
"Türkiye resolutely maintains its commitment to Syria's sovereignty, political unity and territorial integrity. We will continue to work with our regional and international partners for a stable, secure and prosperous Syria," he said.
"I reiterate the Secretary-General’s call for an end of the violations of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement and full respect for Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity," Deputy U.N. Special Envoy for Syria Claudio Cordone said.
He said Israeli military operations in southern Syria continue daily, including construction work, checkpoints, searches and detentions, and the fatal shooting of a civilian near an Israeli position on Oct. 5.
He said 49 people reportedly remain in Israeli custody and that on Sept. 23, 14 Israelis crossed the ceasefire line before Israeli forces returned them.
"Diplomacy is the only way to reach agreement on security arrangements, consistent with international law," Cordone said.
He said the U.N. is exploring an international conference on Syria’s recovery and reconstruction "grounded in Syria’s priorities."
"The task now is to translate these opportunities into sustained support for Syria’s recovery," he said.
U.N. humanitarian official Mohammed Yahya said more than 5.5 million Syrians remain displaced despite 3.8 million returns.
"The goal must not be simply to help families return but to concretely help them stay and rebuild their lives," he said, noting explosive ordnance has caused 2,500 casualties since December 2024.
Civil society leader George Batah said 2.7 million children remain out of school. "Investment in education is how rebuilding begins," he said. Plan International’s Hajir Maalim warned that "an entire generation risks being left behind." The U.S. welcomed Syria’s "ongoing progress" on "political, humanitarian and security priorities."
Syria’s U.N. envoy Ibrahim Olabi said those claiming to seek security "should not be killing Syrian citizens within Syrian territory."
"They should know very well that there is only one path towards security, which is international legitimacy and the resolutions of the (U.N. Security) Council," Olabi said, adding, "Every time they open fire on Syria, they are, as the world has witnessed, at the same time opening fire on itself locally and internationally."
Israel says its operations in Syria are driven by security considerations.
Israeli forces detained a young man in the village of Bariqa in Quneitra province on Monday, Syria’s Alikhbariah TV reported.
Six Israeli military vehicles entered an area south of Al-Rafid and blocked residents from construction, troops blew up an abandoned barracks near Beit Jinn and forces opened fire toward farmland in Daraa's Wadi al-Raqqad, the broadcaster said, as tensions over Israel’s actions in Syria persist.
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