While a buffer zone on the Golan Heights established by a 1974 ceasefire agreement with Syria was seized by Israel on December 8, 2024, Morocco and Egypt, Syria’s bilateral partners, are taking a stand as for this referral which occurred following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria. Egypt and Morocco are positioning themselves in particular against this action by Israel and are thus pleading for the protection of Syria’s sovereignty over all its territories. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry has also stressed the need for international accountability regarding Israel’s actions, which it considers detrimental to peace and stability in the region.
Following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria after a lightning offensive led by several rebel groups in the country, including the HTS of Abu Mohammad al-Jolani and by Syrian insurgents, the Israelis took advantage of the situation to seize a buffer zone in the Golan Heights established by a 1974 ceasefire agreement with Syria. Egypt, Syria’s bilateral partner, condemned the seizure on December 9, 2024, calling it a clear violation of Syria’s sovereignty and a clear violation of the 1974 disengagement agreement.
The Arab Republic of Egypt condemns in the strongest terms Israel’s seizure of the buffer zone with the Syrian Arab Republic and adjacent command positions, which constitutes an occupation of Syrian territories, a flagrant violation of its sovereignty and a blatant violation of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.
Press Realease, Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Egypt
In its statement, Egypt stressed that this Israeli attitude not only violates international law, but also threatens the unity and integrity of the Syrian territories. The Egyptian government said these actions were taken in a situation of instability and power vacuum in Syria, making the already tense situation more complicated. In addition to Egypt, Morocco also took a position emphasizing that Morocco’s position has always been clear and based on maintaining the territorial integrity, national sovereignty and unity of the Syrian people.
Under the instructions of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God help him, Morocco’s position has always been clear, based on the preservation of territorial integrity, national sovereignty and the unity of the Syrian people. This position has been and remains consistent since the Kingdom, which hopes that these developments will bring stability to Syria and meet the aspirations of the Syrian people for development and a better future.
Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign affairs – Morocco
Egypt and Morocco are thus pleading for the protection of Syria’s sovereignty over all its territories. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry has also stressed the need for international accountability regarding Israel’s actions, which it considers detrimental to peace and stability in the region.