The US State Department again on Thursday condemned the violence in Syria, calling upon all sides to step away and enter “meaningful dialogue” for a sustained ceasefire.
Washington Attempts De-Escalation as Israel Strikes Syria
Washington stated that it had made attempts at de-escalating the hostilities in Syria. Israel had carried out new strikes against Syria, promising to defend the Druze minority in the country, particularly in Sweida.
US State Secretary Marco Rubio previously stated that they were moving toward a “real de-escalation” while Washington pursued all avenues to end the war.
US Engages with Syrian Constituencies for Peace
“Actively engaging all constituencies in Syria to navigate towards the calm and continued discussion on integration,” State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce told reporters.
The US also urged the Syrian government to set the path forward amid this violence and turmoil. It pushed further and stated, “All parties must step back and engage in meaningful dialogue that leads to lasting peace.”
US Disapproves Israeli Move, Maintains Dialogue with Both Sides
Washington also made clear it didn’t condone the Israeli move in Syria, saying it was in contact with both Israel and Syria.
Earlier, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt also told reporters that a de-escalation in Syria seemed to be continuing. “Syria agreed to draw back their troops that were in the area where that clash was ongoing, and we continue to be very actively monitoring the situation,” she said.
Al-Sharaa Blames Israel, Vows to Defend Druze Minority
Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, meanwhile, blamed Israel for attempting to harm the nation and promised to defend its Druze minority on Thursday following an intervention by the US that brought about a truce in the conflict between Syrian government troops and Druze combatants.
Most of the Syrian government troops withdrew from Sweida province in southern Syria on Thursday following days of fighting, and militias affiliated with the minority threatened the nation’s post-war transition.
Dozens Dead Amid Complex Clashes with Bedouin Militias
Dozens have been killed already in the fighting between Druze combatants and government forces and Bedouin tribesmen.
What was disturbing was that one of the military commanders from the Bedouin side claimed that their troops had started a new assault in Sweida against Druze combatants, arguing that the truce agreement was only to be observed by government forces.
Druze Clerics Tasked with Sweida Security Under Ceasefire
Syrian president al-Sharaa claimed on Thursday in a broadcast that according to the new ceasefire agreement, the Druze community and clerics have been put in charge of preserving the internal security in Sweida.
On the other hand, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to keep southern Syria demilitarised and to protect the Druze community. “This will also be the continuation of our policy,” he said.
SOHR Confirms Rising Death Toll in Sweida Fighting
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that a minimum of 594 individuals have been killed in southern Syria’s Sweida province as death toll from the fighting days continued to rise in the province.
The SOHR said it counted 300 Druze from Sweida among the dead, including 154 civilians. The violence has claimed the lives of 257 government personnel and 18 Bedouin fighters, plus three members of the Bedouin tribe “who were summarily executed by Druze fighters”.
