A bloc of 12 countries denounce Israeli strikes on Syrian military airbase

The foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Türkiye, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates on Friday unequivocally condemned Israel’s continued settlement policies in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and categorically rejected the “E1” settlement plan and related settlement activities east of occupied East Jerusalem.

In a joint statement, the ministers also condemned violations and acts of violence perpetrated by settlers, with the support of Israeli occupying authorities, against the Palestinian people and their property.

They stressed that such acts did not diminish the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and constituted violations of international law and relevant United Nations resolutions, while posing a serious threat to regional and international peace and security.

The ministers warned that the “E1” settlement plan constituted a dangerous escalation that further advanced settlement expansion and annexation and undermined the geographical contiguity of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, particularly between the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

They said such actions threatened the viability and realisation of an independent, contiguous Palestinian state based on the 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The ministers said the actions constituted a direct challenge to international efforts aimed at achieving peace, foremost among them President Donald Trump’s Comprehensive Plan, including its unequivocal rejection of annexation and forced displacement, and the mechanisms envisaged for its implementation, including through the Board of Peace.

Also Read: Israeli settlements bring chaos to Palestinians

They also pointed to President Trump’s commitment to not allow annexation of the West Bank, with a view to achieving stability and bringing the conflict to an end.

The ministers reaffirmed that the two-state solution, in accordance with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions, remained the only viable path towards a just, comprehensive and lasting peace.

They warned that actions aimed at undermining the solution risked further escalating tensions, threatening regional and international peace and security, and jeopardising prospects for lasting peace and stability in the region.

The ministers supported all efforts aimed at ensuring accountability, including through appropriate international measures and sanctions against entities and individuals responsible for illegal settlement activities, including the “E1” settlement plan, as well as those supporting, facilitating or implementing policies of settlement expansion and annexation.

They further called for an end to any support or financing that contributed to the establishment, expansion or entrenchment of illegal settlements.

They stressed that a lack of accountability contributed to the continuation of violations and further undermined prospects for a just and comprehensive peace.

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The ministers called for immediate action to halt the “E1” settlement plan, rescind all measures taken in connection with it, and cease all settlement activities and other measures aimed at altering the geographic and demographic character of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

They also called upon the United Nations Security Council, all states and relevant international actors to uphold their responsibilities under international law and take urgent and effective measures to halt illegal settlement expansion.

The ministers called for the protection of the Palestinian people, safeguarding their inalienable rights, including their right to self-determination, and the realisation of their independent state in accordance with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.

12-country bloc denounces Israeli strikes on Syrian airbase

Meanwhile, a bloc of 12 Muslim countries on Friday strongly condemned the Israeli airstrikes targeting the Abu al-Duhur military airbase in northwestern Syria on August 18, citing it as an attack on the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and political unity.

In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of Türkiye, Algeria, Indonesia, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mauritania, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Somalia expressed deep concern over what they described as the continuous targeting and degradation of Syria’s territory and infrastructure.

“Such actions directly risk undermining Syria’s ongoing efforts to restore security, rebuild national institutions, and address the humanitarian consequences of years of prolonged conflict,” the statement read further.

The ministers also warned that Israel’s continued violations of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity could further escalate tensions, undermine regional peace and stability, and erode respect for international law and the principles of the United Nations (UN) Charter.

The joint statement called on the international community to adopt a “firm, clear and principled position” against Israel’s continued aggression against Syria.

The ministers also called for concrete steps, in accordance with international law and the United Nations Charter, to bring an end to the violations, ensure full respect for the 1974 Disengagement Agreement and secure the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the areas they have occupied.

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They said such measures were necessary to prevent further escalation and protect regional peace and stability.

The ministers underscored the imperative of respecting Syria’s sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and political unity and stressed their rejection of any attempt to undermine them.

The attack

Israel dropped at least eight bombs on runways and hangars at the airbase early on Tuesday, damaging runways that had recently been rebuilt, according to Axios. No casualties were reported.

US and Israeli officials told the outlet that Israel had informed the Trump administration that the strike was intended to prevent a Turkish military buildup at the base, located about 45 miles (72 kilometres) from the Turkish border.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed on Wednesday that Israel had warned Syria before the attack against allowing a Turkish presence at the facility.

Syrian FM Asaad al-Shaibani refuted the claim and said work at the base was limited to repairing the airfield and facilities damaged during Syria’s civil war.

“There was no Turkish military build-up at the base in any sense that would justify such an interpretation,” he said, adding that the facility was largely empty and had not yet become fully operational. “Therefore, linking the strike to a Turkish military presence at the base is not supported by the situation on the ground as it stood at the time,” he added.

The Syrian FM acknowledged that Turkish military officers had visited the airbase several days before the Israeli attack but said the visit was part of ongoing military cooperation involving training and the exchange of expertise. He said Syria, as it rebuilds its military and civilian institutions, has engaged in similar cooperation with Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, and Russia.

“Syria is a sovereign state, and it has the right to establish relations of cooperation and alliance with any country, including Türkiye.”