U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called on Syrian government forces to take immediate action to prevent jihadist group from carrying out attacks in Syria’s conflict-ridden southern region of Sweida. In a statement posted on X, Rubio pointed out that Damascus must deploy its security forces to stop extremist violence to maintain prospects for a “unified, inclusive, and peaceful Syria.”
The call comes amid a fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Sweida, where sectarian clashes between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes have left over 300 dead since July 13, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The violence, marked by reported executions and widespread destruction, prompted Israeli airstrikes on Syrian military targets, including Damascus, to protect the Druze minority and prevent extremist entrenchment near its border.
Syrian forces have agreed to withdraw from Sweida under the ceasefire deal, which Rubio described as addressing a “misunderstanding” between Israel and Syria. However, sporadic clashes persist, raising concerns about the truce’s stability. The Syrian interior ministry reported late Saturday that tribal fighters have been evacuated from Sweida, and clashes have halted, signaling cautious progress.
U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack hailed the truce as a “breakthrough,” urging all parties, including Druze and Bedouin fighters, to lay down arms. The ceasefire, backed by Turkey, Jordan, and other regional players, aims to restore state control and ensure humanitarian aid delivery, though skepticism remains due to ongoing mistrust of Syria’s interim government led by Ahmed al-Sharaa.
