Syrian government said Friday it would recover its Golan Heights territory through all available means. It condemned statement of US President Donald Trump that it was time to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the region.
A statement released by the country said it was blind bias of United States towards Israel, but the reality was that the Golan Heights remain Syrian.
Syria added it is determined to liberate the land through all available means and statement of Trump was irresponsible.
Israel seized the disputed Golan Heights from Syria in 1967 Middle East war and annexed it in 1981, but international community didn’t recognize the territory as part of Israel then.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu raised possibility for US to recognize Golan Heights as part of Israel in his first White House meeting with President Trump in February 2017.
Currently 20,000 Israeli settlers live in the territory.
Trump tweeted Thursday, “After 52 years it is time for the United States to fully recognize Israel’s Sovereignty over the Golan Heights.”
Trump’s decision was cheered by Netanyahu who is scheduled to visit Washington next week. He wrote on Twitter, “Thank you President Trump!”
US Senate Lindsey Graham tweeted, “President Trump’s decision to recognize the Golan as part of Israel is strategically wise and overall awesome. Well done, Mr. President!”
