Syria protests to UN over Colombia’s Golan recognition
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) — Syria protested on Wednesday to the United Nations over Colombia’s recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Syrian Golan, reaffirming the territory is part of Syria.
Syria submitted an official letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the president of the UN Security Council, expressing its protest, condemnation and categorical rejection of Colombia’s decision, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).
The move followed Colombia’s Aug. 10 statement recognizing what it called Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Syrian Golan. Syria had condemned the statement a day earlier and reaffirmed that the Golan is an integral part of its territory.
Syria said the Colombian decision violated the UN Charter, the principle prohibiting the acquisition of territory by force and UN Security Council Resolution 497 of 1981.
The Syrian government also cited statements by Guterres affirming that the Golan is Syrian territory, according to SANA.
Syria reiterated its rejection of continued Israeli attacks and incursions into Syrian territory and called on states and international organizations to uphold international law and UN resolutions.
It also said it would continue using what it described as legitimate diplomatic and legal means to defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity and rights and to work toward restoring the occupied territory.
UN Security Council Resolution 497, adopted in December 1981, declared Israel’s decision to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration on the occupied Syrian Golan “null and void and without international legal effect” and called on Israel to rescind it.
The Colombian recognition drew condemnations from the European Union, the Arab League, the Arab Parliament, Türkiye, Libya, Palestine, Kuwait, Lebanon, Iraq, Qatar, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Egypt, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Muslim World League.