The Syrian Future Movement is following with great interest the statements made by the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Nabil Fahmy, on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, during an interview on Colombian radio station Caracol Radio. In his remarks, Fahmy affirmed that the Golan Heights are occupied Syrian territory and that their legal status is firmly established under international law and UN resolutions. He called on Colombia to reconsider its decision to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan and to return to an approach based on respect for the UN Charter.
The Syrian Future Movement appreciates this firm Arab stance, which embodies the consensus rejecting any measures aimed at altering the legal status of the occupied Syrian Golan. It emphasizes that sovereignty cannot be acquired by force or through the imposition of a fait accompli, and that political recognitions do not, in themselves, create a legal basis for sovereignty over occupied territories.
The Syrian Future Movement views the Secretary-General’s statements as a clear message to the international community: accepting the acquisition of territory by force opens the door to repercussions that extend beyond the Syrian situation and could affect other countries in the future.
The Syrian Future Movement reiterates that official statements and positions, while important, remain a first step. The real challenge lies in translating these positions into concrete, deterrent measures that prevent the recurrence of such recognitions, which violate international law, and compel states to respect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, thus contributing to achieving lasting stability in the region.
The Syrian Future Movement notes that the statements of the Secretary-General of the Arab League carry three main implications:
First, the reaffirmation of the established legal status of the Golan Heights. Fahmy emphasized that the Golan is Syrian territory occupied by Israel since 1967, and that any decision taken by Israel or any political recognition issued by another state does not alter the status of the territory under international law.
We see in this reaffirmation a reminder of international legal frameworks, foremost among them Security Council Resolution 497 of 1981, which deemed Israel’s decision to impose its laws, jurisdiction, and administration on the occupied Syrian Golan Heights “null and void and without international legal effect.” Second, we reject recognitions that violate international law. We noted that the Secretary-General of the Arab League called on Colombia to reconsider its decision, asserting that political recognitions do not create sovereignty.
We support this position, which embodies a unified Arab rejection of any attempt to legitimize the occupation or alter the facts on the ground. We recall that Colombia became the second UN member state, after the United States, to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights.
Third, we caution against the repercussions of accepting the annexation of territory by force. Fahmy’s warning that accepting the acquisition of territory by force opens the door to repercussions extending beyond the Syrian situation is a valid one. It highlights the dangerous precedents these recognitions could set for the stability of the international order based on the UN Charter, particularly the principle prohibiting the use of force to seize the territory of states.
In this context, the Syrian Future Movement reiterates its firm positions, published on its official website, which emphasize the priority of national sovereignty, the rejection of occupation, and adherence to international law:
- Statement on the Israeli airstrikes on Abu al-Duhur Airport (dated August 19, 2026): Condemned the Israeli aggression against Syrian sovereignty and affirmed that the continuation of these attacks constitutes a flagrant violation of international law.
- Statement on the Memorandum of Understanding with Russia (dated August 10, 2026): Stressed that restoring national sovereignty over all Syrian territory is a fundamental objective, and that any foreign presence must be consistent with the sovereignty of the state.
Based on its national responsibility, the Syrian Future Movement recommends the following:
Strengthening Arab and international diplomatic efforts:
- Building upon the unified Arab position expressed by the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States to intensify diplomatic pressure on countries considering recognizing the annexation of the Golan Heights, and working towards the issuance of UN resolutions condemning and criminalizing such recognitions.
- The international community is urged to take immediate action to deter any state from taking steps that undermine international law and to activate international accountability mechanisms.
National unity behind state institutions:
All national forces must unite behind the Syrian state’s position on the Golan Heights, overcome internal differences, and focus on the goal of restoring all occupied Syrian territory.
Leading legal and political awareness of the issue:
Launching national awareness campaigns to inform citizens about the legal frameworks of the Golan Heights issue, the importance of adhering to national principles, and exposing Israeli practices and recognitions that violate international law.
Continuing the indirect negotiations process:
It is emphasized that any future security arrangements must be consistent with international law and must not infringe upon Syrian sovereignty over the Golan Heights, as Fahmy indicated regarding the ongoing negotiations between the Syrian government and Israel.
The Syrian Future Movement welcomes the firm Arab position expressed by the Secretary-General of the Arab League, viewing it as a message of support for Syrian sovereignty and a rejection of recognitions that violate international law.
It reiterates that the Golan Heights are Syrian Arab land, that any measures aimed at altering its legal status are null and void, and that its return is a legitimate right of Syria and an Arab and humanitarian duty.
The Syrian Future Movement affirms that the steadfastness of the Syrian people and their adherence to their land is the true guarantee for the return of the Golan, and that diplomatic and legal struggle is a complementary path to the national struggle.
