Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa was caught on camera apparently scrolling through Instagram Reels on his smartphone during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed world leaders.
A video recorded inside the General Assembly hall has gone viral on social media, showing al-Sharaa looking at his phone and appearing to scroll through Instagram's short-video feed while Erdogan was speaking from the podium.
Some reports claimed that al-Sharaa was also sharing Reels, but the footage itself does not establish what exactly he was watching or whether he was messaging another person.
Video goes viral on social media
The unusual moment quickly attracted attention online, with social media users reacting with a mix of amusement and criticism.
The footage came during a high-level UNGA session attended by around 130 heads of state and government. Erdogan's address covered major regional and international issues, including Gaza, Palestinian statehood and reforms to the UN Security Council.
The viral clip appeared just ahead of al-Sharaa's own engagement at the UN gathering, making the moment particularly noticeable as the Syrian leader prepares to discuss major diplomatic issues concerning his country.
Syrian President Jolani appears to be caught scrolling Instagram during the UN General Assembly. pic.twitter.com/XzV5uKTH9K
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) September 23, 2026
Al-Sharaa's second UN General Assembly appearance
This is al-Sharaa's second appearance at the UN General Assembly. In 2025, he became the first Syrian president in nearly six decades to address the world body after the fall of longtime President Bashar al-Assad.
Al-Sharaa became Syria's interim president in January 2025 following the offensive that led to Assad's ouster. Since then, his administration has sought to rebuild Syria's relations with Arab countries and Western governments.
Syria's diplomatic agenda
The Instagram video comes against the backdrop of major diplomatic discussions involving Syria. Al-Sharaa has been speaking about Syria's relations with Israel, including the status of the Golan Heights and the possibility of future negotiations.
He has said that an Israeli withdrawal from a security zone in Syrian territory would be a necessary first step before broader talks could move forward.
The brief phone moment has since become one of the more widely shared lighter moments from the ongoing UN General Assembly, contrasting with the serious diplomatic issues being discussed at the annual gathering.
