Rubio urges Syria to use security forces to end fighting in south

WASHINGTON

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged the Syrian government on Saturday to use security forces in the south to "immediately" stop the violence between Druze and Bedouin groups and prevent further atrocities.

"If authorities in Damascus want to preserve any chance of achieving a unified, inclusive and peaceful Syria free of ISIS (Daesh) and of Iranian control they must help end this calamity by using their security forces to prevent ISIS and any other violent jihadists from entering the area and carrying out massacres," Rubio wrote on X.

He said Washington has remained “heavily involved” in the last three days in coordinating with Israel, Jordan and Syrian authorities in Damascus the “horrifying and dangerous developments” in the southern province of Suwayda.

“The rape and slaughter of innocent people which has and is still occuring (sic) must end,” he wrote, adding that Damascus must also “hold accountable and bring to justice anyone guilty of atrocities including those in their own ranks.”

Clashes broke out July 13 between Bedouin Arab tribes and armed Druze groups in Suwayda.

The violence escalated and Israeli airstrikes followed, including on Syrian military positions and infrastructure in Damascus. Israel cited the need to protect Druze communities as a pretext for its attacks.

The Syrian presidency announced a comprehensive and immediate ceasefire earlier Saturday, following days of unrest in the southern province.

Bashar al-Assad, who ruled Syria for nearly a quarter century, fled to Russia on Dec. 8, 2024, marking the end of the Baath Party’s decades-long rule, which began in 1963.

A new transitional administration led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa was formed in January.