Syria is protesting a recent decision by Israel to go ahead with a gas exploration project in the Golan Heights, a strategic plateau it captured from Syria in the 1967 war.

In letters sent to the U.N. Security Council and the U.N. secretary general Thursday, the Syrian Foreign Ministry called the decision a "blatant violation" of U.N. resolutions and Syria's sovereignty.

Israel captured the Golan Heights in the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed the strategic plateau in a move not recognized by the international community.

On Feb. 21, Israel said it had issued a permit for the American-Israeli company Genie Energy to drill for oil on the plateau.

Syria alleges that Israel is trying to consecrate its occupation of Syrian territory and steal its resources.