United Nations, April 11, 2025: Pakistan has strongly condemned Israel’s recent airstrikes across Syria, warning the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) that such actions violate international law and threaten Syria’s fragile path toward political stability and national reconciliation, according to the Associated Press of Pakistan.
Addressing a UNSC briefing on Thursday, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, described Israel’s ongoing military aggression as “deeply troubling,” citing repeated violations of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement and a blatant disregard for Syria’s sovereignty.
“We are witnessing a disturbing pattern of unprovoked Israeli attacks, illegal military presence in the separation zone, and open declarations of indefinite occupation,” Ambassador Asim told the 15-member Council.
Earlier this month, Israel intensified its airstrikes in Syria, reportedly targeting air bases and sites near Damascus and the country’s southwest. The escalation followed Israel’s public warnings to Syria’s new religious leadership, accusing their ally Turkiye of attempting to turn Syria into a Turkish protectorate.
Ambassador Asim expressed alarm over the increasing attacks on civilian infrastructure and urban areas, noting the resulting civilian casualties and broader threat to regional and international peace. “The Security Council must not allow illegal military actions to establish dangerous precedents,” he said, recalling the Council’s recent affirmation of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He also urged the international community to hold Israel accountable for violations and demanded an end to its occupation of the Syrian Golan Heights, calling it “illegal, null and void.”
Reiterating Pakistan’s firm support for a Syrian-led political process grounded in UNSC Resolution 2254, the ambassador emphasized that sustainable peace in Syria relies on inclusive political transition, national unity, and reconciliation. He warned that recent progress — including the formation of a transitional government and integration of civil and military institutions — must not be derailed by external interference.
Ambassador Asim also highlighted the dire humanitarian consequences of the Israeli airstrikes. “With over 16 million Syrians already in need, targeting civilian areas and infrastructure exacerbates the crisis and violates international humanitarian law,” he said.
Meanwhile, reports emerged of technical-level talks between Turkish and Israeli officials in Azerbaijan aimed at preventing direct military confrontation in Syria. According to Turkish sources cited by Reuters, these discussions mark the start of efforts to establish a deconfliction mechanism.
Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza continues to escalate regional tensions. Several regional powers — including Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, and Iran — are increasingly drawn into the widening conflict. The war began after Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attacks, prompting Israel to invade Gaza in an offensive that has since killed over 50,000 Palestinians, amid widespread accusations of genocide.
