Syrian UN envoy warns of potential regional war

Syria’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Ibrahim Olabi, warned the UN Security Council that the region is on the threshold of a “regional war that would spare no one.” Speaking in New York, Olabi attributed this escalating risk to the “narrow electoral calculations” of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Olabi reported that Israel has conducted eight airstrikes against the Abu Al-Duhur airbase and continued incursions into Syrian territory. He characterized Israeli actions as ongoing “acts of aggression, including abductions, shelling and violations.” The envoy also criticized Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz for stating that troops stationed on the Syrian side of Mount Hermon would remain there indefinitely, calling the move a “blatant defiance of international legitimacy.”

While noting that Syria is participating in US-sponsored diplomatic efforts to de-escalate, Olabi warned that regional stability efforts are being threatened by what he described as a “reckless and extremist government.” He called for Israel to end its attacks, halt incursions, and comply with the 1974 disengagement agreement.