Riyadh: Trkiye and 10 Arab nations have come together to reaffirm their commitment to Syria's security and sovereignty while condemning foreign interference and repeated Israeli airstrikes. This unified stance was articulated in a joint statement released by the Saudi Foreign Ministry.

According to Anadolu Agency, the statement emerged from a meeting of foreign ministers from Trkiye, Jordan, the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, and Egypt. The ministers expressed strong support for Syria's territorial integrity and unity, rejecting any form of external meddling in the nation's internal affairs. They also lauded a recent ceasefire agreement in Syria's southern province of Suwayda, emphasizing its importance for maintaining national unity and civilian safety.

The joint declaration welcomed Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa's pledge to hold accountable those responsible for abuses in Suwayda. The countries involved underlined their support for initiatives aimed at restoring security across Suwayda and Syria as a whole, while opposing violence and sectarianism.

Moreover, the ministers strongly denounced the ongoing Israeli airstrikes on Syrian soil, labeling them as violations of international law. They warned that these attacks compromise Syria's stability and hinder its government's efforts to establish a secure future for its citizens.

The collective emphasized the significance of Syria's stability for regional security and called on the global community to assist in Syria's reconstruction. They also urged the UN Security Council to ensure Israel's withdrawal from occupied Syrian territories and to enforce relevant international agreements and resolutions.

The statement followed recent Israeli air raids targeting over 160 locations in Syria, which resulted in casualties and injuries. Israel cited the protection of Druze communities as justification for its actions, a claim publicly dismissed by Druze leaders in Syria who remain committed to a unified state.

The situation has intensified since the fall of Assad in December 2024, with Israel ramping up its air campaign and nullifying previous agreements like the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.