Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty, issued a sharp rebuke of Israeli military operations in Syria, following the recent collapse of the Assad regime in a swift rebel offensive. Speaking in Beijing during diplomatic talks with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, Abdelatty condemned Israel’s “destruction of infrastructure and military sites,” describing the incursions as a “flagrant violation of international law.”
The Egyptian diplomat also criticised Israel’s occupation of a significant portion of the buffer zone established under the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, which he asserted was breached by recent military activities. Abdelatty underscored the importance of respecting international agreements, emphasising that such actions exacerbate instability in an already volatile region.
The remarks were made amidst broader discussions with Chinese officials on advancing Egypt’s economic and industrial priorities, including localising renewable energy and electric vehicle industries. However, the situation in Syria, where the Assad government fell to rebel forces within ten days, took centre stage in the talks. Abdelatty stressed the urgency of a comprehensive political process to establish an inclusive government that reflects Syria’s diverse sectarian and ethnic makeup.
Both Egypt and China expressed aligned views on the Syrian crisis, with Beijing supporting a multilateral approach to stabilisation. Abdelatty’s comments signal Cairo’s commitment to regional stability while reaffirming its position against unilateral actions that undermine international norms.
