Bangladesh condemns Israel's aggression in Syria

By SM Najmus Sakib

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) - Bangladesh on Sunday strongly condemned Israel’s illegal act of aggression in Syria during the moment of critical transition after the fall of the Assad regime, stressing that Dhaka believes in the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Syria.

“Bangladesh reiterates its principal position on territorial integrity and sovereignty in Syria. In this context, Bangladesh unequivocally condemns the illegal act of aggression by Israel during this moment of critical transition,” a Foreign Ministry statement said.

“It is imperative that all external actions respect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” it underscored.

Dhaka also called on the international community and the UN to intensify efforts to protect civilian lives in Syria, uphold humanitarian principles, and foster an inclusive political solution consistent with UNSC Resolution 2254.

The ministry also urged all stakeholders, including the Syrian Transitional Government, to exercise restraint, respect the aspirations of the Syrians, and pursue a peaceful resolution through dialogue.

“Ensuring a path toward inclusive democracy and sustainable peace (in Syria) remains essential for long-term stability in the region,” the statement emphasized.

Bashar al-Assad, who ruled Syria with an iron fist for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia on Dec. 8 after anti-regime groups seized control of Damascus. The takeover came after Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) fighters captured key cities across the country in a swift offensive that lasted less than two weeks.

Taking advantage of Assad’s fall, Israel has intensified its airstrikes against military sites across Syria, in blatant violation of the country’s sovereignty.

Israel also declared the collapse of a 1974 disengagement agreement with Syria and deployed its forces within the demilitarized zone in the Golan Heights – a territory Israel has occupied since 1967.

This move has been widely condemned by the UN and several Arab nations.

According to the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), the buffer zone “extends over 75 kilometers (46.6 miles) in length and ranges in width from approximately 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) in the center to 200 meters (656 feet) in the far south.”