Arab League Condemns Israeli Airstrike Near Syrian Presidential Palace as “Dangerous Escalation”
By Kardo Roj
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – The Arab League on Friday strongly condemned Israel’s recent airstrike targeting a site near the presidential palace in Damascus, calling the action a “dangerous escalation” and a “violation of Syria’s sovereignty.”
In an official statement, the League’s General Secretariat denounced the pre-dawn strike carried out by the Israeli military, warning that such attacks threaten to further destabilize the region. The condemnation comes amid rising tensions in Syria following a series of Israeli military operations and increasing rhetoric over the protection of the country’s Druze population.
“These Israeli airstrikes represent a serious escalation and an unacceptable breach of Syria’s sovereignty. They are part of a persistent pattern of aggression aimed at destabilizing the country and interfering in its internal affairs,” the statement read.
The League urged the UN Security Council to act swiftly to halt Israeli military operations that “pose a threat to regional peace and could ignite a wider conflict.”
The Arab League’s position reflects a broader wave of condemnation from several Arab states. Earlier Friday, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and others issued separate statements denouncing the Israeli strike, which they described as a violation of international law and a dangerous provocation.
The Israeli government, however, maintains that its actions are justified by the need to protect the Druze population in Syria, particularly in light of recent violence in Druze-majority areas such as Suwayda, Jaramana, and Sahnaya. Israeli officials have claimed these actions are “defensive” in nature, citing alleged threats against Druze communities as justification.
The Syrian government, for its part, has sharply rejected those assertions and characterized the airstrike as a direct attack on the sovereignty and unity of the Syrian state.
In its appeal, the Arab League called on the international community to fulfill its responsibilities under the UN Charter. “It is imperative that the Security Council address these violations and prevent further Israeli aggression that could escalate into a broader regional confrontation,” the statement said.
The League also emphasized its support for Syria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, a long-standing principle in its diplomatic stance toward member states.
The condemnation and calls for international action underscore growing concerns that Israel’s increased military posture in Syria—especially near high-profile government installations—could draw the region into deeper instability.
In response to the airstrike, the Syrian Presidency issued a strongly worded condemnation, calling it a “blatant assault on national sovereignty” and demanding unified Arab support. Damascus also accused Israel of seeking to exploit domestic unrest in the country’s south to justify foreign intervention.
This week has seen mounting unrest in several southern cities and towns, with dozens reportedly killed in clashes between local residents and state security forces. The violence has heightened fears of renewed sectarian tensions and further external interference.