Syria's al-Sharaa urges Israeli withdrawal in UN speech

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa addressed the United Nations General Assembly this week, calling on Israel to withdraw its forces from Syrian territory and end military operations he said were undermining the country's recovery from civil war.

In his address, al-Sharaa argued that continued Israeli strikes and troop movements inside Syria complicate an already difficult transition following the collapse of the previous government. He framed the withdrawal request as essential to giving Syria space to stabilize its institutions and rebuild after years of conflict.

A recovery under strain

Al-Sharaa's government has spent months attempting to consolidate authority nationally while managing relations with neighboring states and international bodies. He told delegates that outside military pressure, including Israeli actions he characterized as attacks, was making that task harder at a delicate moment.

The speech did not detail specific incidents but was pitched as a broader appeal to the international community to support Syria's sovereignty as it emerges from years of civil war. Al-Sharaa has used previous international appearances to seek diplomatic recognition and economic support for reconstruction.

Israel has not yet issued a formal response to the specific remarks. Israeli officials have previously said their operations in Syrian territory, including in border areas, are aimed at preventing threats from armed groups and are not directed at the Syrian state itself.

The UN has not indicated any immediate action in response to the speech. Al-Sharaa's remarks add to a series of statements from Syrian officials this year seeking to draw international attention to Israeli military activity near Syria's borders as the country continues its post-war reconstruction.