Syria increases criticism of Israeli actions, continues diplomatic outreach

Syria sharpened its criticism of Israeli military operations in Syria during the first week of October, including the construction of a new fortified security line in southern Syria, east of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. On October 6, in one of several recent statements from Damascus, Syria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ibrahim Olabi condemned Israel for “violations of international law and human rights” in actions near the Golan. It is one of several recent statements from Damascus, and several regional countries have joined Syria in its condemnations. At the same time, Syria conducted outreach to Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE and condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.

The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) noted on October 6 that Olabi “stressed the need to hold Israel accountable for its violations of international law and human rights, reaffirming that the Golan will remain Syrian territory and that all Israeli measures aimed at annexing it are null and void under international law and U.N. Security Council Resolution 497.”

The comments come in the context of Israel’s operations in Syria in the wake of the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) moved into the buffer zone that previously separated Israel and Syrian forces since 1974 and took the peak of Mount Hermon. Israeli officials, particularly the Defense Minister Israel Katz, have repeatedly said they will not leave the new buffer zone along the old border as long as jihadist threats persist.

Syria is concerned that Israel is establishing a new permanent presence in Syria. On October 4, Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Israel for extending its control to a new line called the “Sufa 53 line.” SANA noted that the ministry “called on the international community to assume its responsibilities and take effective deterrent measures to put an end to these violations and prevent their recurrence.” Qatar and Jordan joined in the condemnation with statements on October 4. On October 5, Turkey also condemned Israel’s moves regarding the Sufa 53 line. The statements appear coordinated.

Israel hasn’t commented on the Syrian statements. However, on October 7, as part of the IDF’s statements about three years of war since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, the Israeli military released new details about its role in Syria. It noted that in the wake of the fall of the Assad regime, the IDF’s “210th Division entered Syrian territory and began establishing a forward security area, within which ten military posts were established.”

Syria also continued its diplomatic outreach in early October. US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack, who is also US envoy to Syria and Iraq, met with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al Shaibani in Turkey on October 8. “Syria is a key component of the Middle East Rubik’s Cube and is assisting the region in finding an algorithm to lower the temperatures in its neighborhood,” Barrack noted. “Pleased to meet with Syrian Foreign Minister al-Shaibani today to discuss our shared priorities in addressing regional threats,” he added.

Syria also condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia as Pakistan and Turkey increased support for Riyadh amid the conflict in Yemen. In addition, on October 7, Syria’s president spoke with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. “The two sides … explored ways to boost economic and investment cooperation and expand partnerships between the two countries, stressing the importance of continuing coordination and communication on issues of common interest,” SANA reported.

Syria has experienced success in its diplomatic outreach since the fall of the Assad regime. Saudi Arabia and Turkey remain its key partners in the region, and early October calls and meetings reflected this trend. Syrian President Ahmed al Sharaa visited Saudi Arabia to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on October 6, and Syria’s foreign minister met his Turkish counterpart on October 7, after meeting the US envoy.

Reporting from Israel, Seth J. Frantzman is an adjunct fellow at FDD and a contributor to FDD’s Long War Journal. He is the senior Middle East correspondent and analyst at The Jerusalem Post, and author of The October 7 War: Israel’s Battle for Security in Gaza (2024).