A video of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa scrolling through Instagram Reels on his smartphone has gone viral after it was recorded inside the United Nations General Assembly hall on Tuesday.

The unverified footage shows al-Sharaa seated among delegates and focused on his phone while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered his address during the high-level debate of the 81st UNGA session in New York. Reports indicate the clip appears to capture him browsing short videos, with some observers claiming he may have been sharing content, though the video itself does not confirm messaging or specific activity.

The moment drew widespread attention online, with users offering a mix of amusement and commentary on the scene amid speeches by nearly 130 heads of state and government. Al-Sharaa, who became Syria's interim president in January 2025 after leading the rebel offensive that ousted Bashar al-Assad, was attending the gathering for the second time. He had been the first Syrian representative to address the UNGA in nearly 60 years during the 2025 session.

Al-Sharaa, previously designated a terrorist by the United States due to his past leadership role in groups with ties to al-Qaeda, has since consolidated power and engaged in international diplomacy.

On Wednesday, al-Sharaa was set to address the General Assembly himself, focusing on Syria's post-conflict recovery, reconstruction efforts, and calls for Israeli withdrawal from Syrian territory. The incident highlights the far-reaching influence of Western technology companies, even on the leaders of Middle Eastern nations.