Syria has sent formal letters to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the president of the UN Security Council, rejecting Colombia’s recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, state news agency SANA reported.
According to SANA, the letters on Wednesday conveyed Syria’s protest, condemnation and categorical rejection of Colombia’s recognition of what it described as “Israeli sovereignty” over the occupied Syrian Golan Heights.
On Monday, Colombia’s foreign ministry announced its recognition of what it called Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar welcomed the move, making Colombia the second country after the US to recognise Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights.
Washington took the same step in 2019 during US President Donald Trump’s first term.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also hailed the decision in a video posted on X.
Earlier, Syria’s foreign ministry rejected and condemned Colombia’s decision, saying it was based on security justifications inconsistent with international law.
The ministry said the Colombian position contradicted statements by Guterres affirming that the Golan Heights are Syrian territory and that the UN unequivocally recognises them as part of Syria.
It also said the decision violated the principle prohibiting the acquisition of territory by force and UN Security Council Resolution 497 of 1981.
Israel has occupied most of the Syrian Golan Heights since 1967 and annexed the territory in 1981, a move rejected by the UN as “null and void” under Resolution 497.
