Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Syrian President Al-Sharaa Seen Scrolling Reels At UN
A video showed Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa using his phone during a United Nations meeting.
It looked like he was scrolling through short Instagram videos.
The video does not prove whether he was watching or sharing anything.
People online reacted to the moment because it seemed like an ordinary thing to do.
The phone use happened before al-Sharaa gave his own speech.
Later, he spoke about Syria’s relationship with Israel.
He said Israel should leave a security zone in Syrian territory before formal talks begin.
He also said lasting peace could be possible.
Al-Sharaa is trying to rebuild Syria and improve its relationships with other countries.
A viral video appears to show Ahmed al-Sharaa scrolling through Instagram reels during a UN General Assembly session.
The footage was recorded while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was addressing world leaders.
Reports claimed al-Sharaa was sharing reels, but the video does not establish what he was watching or whether he was messaging anyone.
Hours later, al-Sharaa discussed Syria-Israel relations, saying an Israeli withdrawal from a security zone in Syrian territory must precede talks.
Al-Sharaa is attending his second UN General Assembly since 2025, following the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
- Who
- Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa was shown in the viral footage; Recep Tayyip Erdogan was speaking at the time.
- What
- A video appears to show al-Sharaa scrolling through Instagram reels during a UN General Assembly session.
- When
- The incident occurred before al-Sharaa addressed the gathering, while Erdogan was speaking; no specific date is provided.
- Where
- Inside the UN General Assembly hall in New York.
- Why
- The footage does not establish why al-Sharaa was using his phone or what he was watching.
- Location
- New York, United States
- Setting
- UN General Assembly hall
- Phone activity
- The video appears to show al-Sharaa scrolling through Instagram reels.
- Contested detail
- Reports said he may have been sharing reels, but the footage does not confirm this.
- Syria-Israel position
- Al-Sharaa said an Israeli withdrawal from a security zone in Syrian territory must come before talks.
- UN attendance
- The article describes this as al-Sharaa’s second UN General Assembly appearance since 2025.
- Political transition
- Bashar al-Assad was ousted in December 2024 after an insurgent offensive led by al-Sharaa.