France Urges Respect for Syrian Sovereignty Amid Israeli Incursions

French Foreign Ministry building in Paris – North Press.
French Foreign Ministry building in Paris – North Press.

By Kardo Roj

DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – The French Foreign Ministry on Monday called for the respect of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in accordance with the UN Charter and international law. The statement comes amid growing concerns over Israeli incursions and repeated airstrikes targeting military infrastructure in Syria.

In its official statement, the French Foreign Ministry stressed that any military deployment in the buffer zone between Syria and Israel constitutes a violation of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, which was brokered to maintain stability in the region following the 1973 war.

Since the fall of the previous Syrian regime last year, Israel has carried out multiple airstrikes on former military positions, significantly weakening what was once the backbone of the country’s army. Additionally, ground incursions have been reported in southern Syria, occasionally reaching the outskirts of rural Damascus from the Daraa region.

While Israel has not officially commented on these operations, regional analysts suggest the strikes are aimed at preventing the reorganization of military forces in Syria. Israeli officials have repeatedly expressed concerns over the presence of Iran-backed militias and Hezbollah, which operated within Syrian military structures before the government’s collapse.

France’s call for respecting Syria’s sovereignty reflects broader concerns within the international community about the fragile security situation in the country. The United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), which monitors the ceasefire line between Syria and Israel, has also warned of increasing violations of the disengagement agreement.

Despite diplomatic statements urging restraint, the geopolitical landscape in southern Syria remains tense. Analysts warn that continued military operations could further destabilize the region, especially as various actors seek to fill the power vacuum left after the fall of the previous government.

As the situation develops, France’s stance signals a renewed international focus on Syria’s territorial integrity and the enforcement of long-standing agreements that were designed to prevent further escalation in an already volatile region.