President al-Sharaa to be first Syrian leader at UN in 60 years amid Israeli strikes, internal dissent, and regional tensions.

New York

Syria is set to address the United Nations General Assembly as tensions with Israel intensify, following repeated Israeli military strikes on Syrian territory, including the Ministry of Defence in Damascus. Israeli forces have established bases beyond the demilitarized buffer zone and have been accused of controlling significant water resources shared with Syria and Jordan. 

The Syrian government faces challenges in responding due to internal political considerations and the need for Western support. While international sanctions have been eased, Syria is under pressure to normalize relations with Israel, a move complicated by domestic opposition and regional factors. The presence of Russian troops and the interests of neighboring countries like Turkey and Jordan further influence Syria's diplomatic approach.

Al-Sharaa to press Syria’s case at UNGA amid tensions with Israel

This is the moment Israel repeatedly struck the Syrian Ministry of Defence in the capital Damascus. The use of jets and drones in Syrian airspace is a recurring sight. We filmed these Israeli tanks on Syrian territory. Since the fall of the Assad regime, Israeli forces have moved beyond a demilitarized buffer zone and set up at least 10 bases and outposts. Syrians are angry at Israel's violations of the 1974 disengagement agreement. Videos like this are posted by Israeli forces after they raided Syrian homes. Here, they arrested people, including a child, without justification. This followed Israel's military occupation of the Golan Heights and attacks on Syrian military facilities, including its navy, air defences, jets and heavy weaponry. Military incursions and occupation are not the only sources of tensions between Syria and Israel. Local media reports say the Israeli military now controls 40% of water sources shared by Syria and Jordan. After taking over the al-Wahda Dam in the Yarmouk Basin in December, Israeli forces have advanced to the al-Mantra Dam. But Syria is in a difficult position to respond. President Ahmadinejad's administration has to balance a fragile unity government and not upset its Western supporters, who it needs to build the economy and gain international recognition. Things are changing. This is the former head of the CIA greeting a man who the US called a terrorist and put a bounty on his head. Though the Trump administration has lifted crippling sanctions, it also wants Syria to adopt an acceptable relationship with Israel. A difficult quid pro quo. But even if there is an understanding on the buffer zone and Israel respects Syrian sovereignty, the Shara'a administration is likely to have great difficulty selling it to many hardline factions. And a population that largely opposes Zionism. Palestinians are part of the Syrian society and their struggles and suffering in Gaza resonate with Syrians. What applies to the parties in Abraham Accord does not apply to Syria. Syria is trying to avoid any fighting or confrontations. Meanwhile, Syria has to be respected in this new era. So if calming the situation will succeed, we will be able to discuss the situation related to the Golan Heights and other issues. There is a huge anger in the view of what's going in Gaza, not only in Syria, but in the entire world. And of course, this has an impact on our position towards Israel. And then there are other regional and international considerations. Russian troops are based on Syrian territory. And while any deal may not affect that situation, it's more likely to have an impact on Syria's relationship with Turkey. For now, Israeli tanks in Syria have been replaced by drones and raids. Beyond this point, is Syrian territory under the control of the Israeli government? And any diplomatic overtures will have to be met with balancing, not just strong internal resistance, but also regional considerations, including that of Turkey, Jordan and even Saudi Arabia. And to balance all of that, the Ahmad Ashara administration has its work cut out for it. Osama Bin Javed Al Jazeera, Qunetra.

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