UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Syria's interim president harshly criticized Israel's occupation of southern Syria and said the Golan Heights is an inseparable part of his country.
In a speech to the U.N. General Assembly, Ahmad al-Sharaa said that Israel has carried out more than 500 air and artillery strikes on the country since he took power nearly two years ago. Israel has also carried out 1,200 land incursions and detained nearly 300 people, he said.
Al-Sharaa also condemned Israel's control over the Golan Heights, which it captured from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war and annexed in 1981.
In 2019, U.S. President Donald Trump recognized Israeli sovereignty over the territory, reversing decades of U.S. policy. The United Nations and most of the international community consider the territory occupied Syrian land and do not recognize Israel’s annexation.
“No attempts at imposing a fait accompli can undermine the legitimacy of our state, the sovereignty of our law, or the force of international law,” al-Sharaa said. “The Golan will remain a Syrian land.”
Israel has occupied a portion of southern Syria since Assad was toppled, calling it a defensive move to prevent potential attacks on its territory.
Al-Sharaa said Syria is committed to a 1974 agreement that established a demilitarized separation zone between Israeli and Syrian forces, stationing a U.N. peacekeeping force there to maintain calm.
He called on Israeli forces to withdraw to the lines of Dec. 8, 2024, the day when insurgents he led removed longtime leader Bashar Assad from power and Israel began sending in forces.
On Tuesday, al-Sharaa jokingly said while speaking at an Atlantic Council event that he has asked Trump why he doesn’t give Israel New Jersey instead of the Golan Heights.
Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa speaks during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations headquarters, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)
Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrives to speak during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations headquarters, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa speaks during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations headquarters, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
SHENZHEN, China (AP) — Anhelina Kalinina has given Ukraine a 1-0 lead in its Billie Jean King Cup tennis quarterfinal against Belgium with a 6-7 (6), 6-1, 6-1 win Thursday over Jana Otzipka.
Seventh-ranked Elina Svitolina will try to clinch the quarterfinal for Ukraine when she plays 175th-ranked Greet Minnen in the following second singles.
The 474th-ranked Otzipka had 16 double faults.
Ukraine or Belgium will play the winner of Thursday's later fourth quarterfinal between two-time defending champion Italy and China in the semifinals, which is scheduled to be played Saturday. The final is scheduled for Sunday.
Earlier in the week, Spain advanced to the semis with a 2-1 win over Kazakhstan. On Friday, the Spaniards will face Czech Republic, which beat Britain 2-0 in their quarterfinal.
That left the Czechs on course for a 12th title in the competition previously called Fed Cup. The United States, which did not qualify for the finals, won a record 18 titles.
See AP’s full tennis coverage here
Ukraine's Elina Svitolina and Lyudmyla Kichenok celebrates after defeating Belgium's Magali Kempen and Lara Saldenduring at the Billie Jean King Cup women double quarterfinals tennis match in Shenzhen, China's Guangdong province, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Ukraine's Elina Svitolina and Lyudmyla Kichenok play against Belgium's Magali Kempen and Lara Saldenduring at the Billie Jean King Cup women double quarterfinals tennis match in Shenzhen, China's Guangdong province, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Belgium's Greet Minnen returns a ball to Ukraine's Elina Svitolina during the Billie Jean King Cup quarterfinals tennis match in Shenzhen, China's Guangdong province, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Ukraine's Elina Svitolina returns the ball to Belgium's Greet Minnen during the Billie Jean King Cup quarterfinals tennis match in Shenzhen, China's Guangdong province, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Belgium's Greet Minnen reacts during play against Ukraine's Elina Svitolina during the Billie Jean King Cup quarterfinals tennis match in Shenzhen, China's Guangdong province, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Belgium's Jana Otzipka, returns a ball to Ukraine's Anhelina Kalinina during the Billie Jean King Cup quarterfinals tennis match in Shenzhen, China's Guangdong province, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Ukraine's Anhelina Kalinina, listen to her coach during match against Belgium's Jana Otzipka during the Billie Jean King Cup quarterfinals tennis match in Shenzhen, China's Guangdong province, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Belgium's Jana Otzipka, returns a ball to Ukraine's Anhelina Kalinina during the Billie Jean King Cup quarterfinals tennis match in Shenzhen, China's Guangdong province, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Ukraine's Anhelina Kalinina, returns a ball to Belgium's Jana Otzipka during the Billie Jean King Cup quarterfinals tennis match in Shenzhen, China's Guangdong province, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
