Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa met with a number of members of the US Congress in New York to discuss bilateral relations between Syria and the United States, as well as the situation inside Syria, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
In remarks at the UN, al-Sharaa said Syria has begun a path of recovery and rebuilding, while reaffirming Damascus’ rejection of repeated Israeli attacks on Syrian territory and insisting that the Golan Heights will remain Syrian land.
Meeting in New York With US Lawmakers
According to the Qatari News Agency, al-Sharaa discussed bilateral ties with the American lawmakers, along with the latest regional and international developments and the situation in Syria.
The lawmakers, it said, voiced support for Syria’s unity and sovereignty, as well as for reconstruction, recovery, and efforts to strengthen stability.
Al-Sharaa Tells the UN Syria Is Recovering
During the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, al-Sharaa said Syria has begun “the journey of recovery and rise” through the unification of the north and south, restricting weapons, rebuilding the security and army institutions, lifting sanctions, and launching a transitional justice process and efforts to reveal the fate of missing persons.
He said Syria is “rising again” after years of war, adding that the fighting has ended and the destruction has stopped.
Strong Rejection of Israeli Actions
Al-Sharaa renewed Damascus’ rejection of repeated Israeli violations on Syrian territory, stressing that the Golan Heights will remain Syrian land and that any annexation measures are void under UN Security Council Resolution 497.
He also said Syria remains committed to the 1974 disengagement agreement and called for Israeli forces to withdraw to the lines of December 8, 2024.
Production, Sanctions, and State Institutions
Al-Sharaa said Syria’s production activity has resumed, with more than 3,000 production lines back in operation, as part of what he described as a gradual revival of the economy.
He added that Syria is rebuilding state institutions, including security and the army, while also pushing for the lifting of sanctions and continuing its political and economic recovery.
Chemical Weapons File and International Cooperation
On the chemical weapons file inherited from the previous government, al-Sharaa said Syria launched the “Breath of Freedom” team with seven other countries to close that chapter, destroy 42 chemical bombs, and restore Syria’s full rights in the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
He added that Syria is working with the International Atomic Energy Agency with “the highest level of transparency,” saying collective security is a trust and strict compliance with treaties protects the world from major threats.
Renewed Accusations Against Israel
In his second speech to the General Assembly, al-Sharaa repeated that the Golan Heights will remain Syrian land and that all annexation decisions are invalid under international resolutions.
He said Syria remains committed to the 1974 agreement and called on Israel to withdraw from Syrian territory, alleging that Israel has carried out about 500 air and artillery strikes and more than 1,200 incursions.
He said Syria rejects Israeli attempts to impose facts on the ground.
Conclusion:
Al-Sharaa’s remarks in New York show Damascus presenting itself as a country in recovery and rebuilding, while firmly rejecting Israeli control of the Golan Heights and southern Syria. His meetings with US lawmakers and his UN speech also suggest an effort to keep the Syrian file active in international diplomacy.
