US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday (July 16) expressed deep concern about growing violence in South Syria, after the second day of Israeli aerial strikes focused on Syrian government forces near the Israeli border.
“We are very concerned about it,” Rubio told journalists in Washington. “We want it to stop. We’re talking about both sides, on all relevant sides, and hopefully we can conclude.”
Tom Barrack, an American special envoy to Syria, said that the United States is actively dealing with “all parties that can move towards peace and integration”.
Tensions increase near the Israeli-Syrian border
Renewed conflict centers around the southwestern Syrian province of Sweid, mostly of the other region, where armed clashes broke out among the other militias and government fighters included in the government at the beginning of this week. Israel launched strikes on Syrian tanks and soldiers and claimed that he was acting to prevent the other minority and forced the demilitarized zone near her border.
According to journalist Reuters on Earth, drones and at least four strikes were heard above the mostly City of Sweid. A damaged tank was seen, which was pulled out, the echoes of the shooting were echoed by the city, and three bodies were observed on the ground. The violence that broke out on Sunday has already claimed dozens of life.
Syria accuses Israel
The Syrian Foreign Ministry condemned Israeli strikes and stated that Israel was “fully responsible” for the attacks and their consequences. The Ministry promised to protect all Syrian citizens, including others.
The statement of the Syrian Presidency stated that the country would take legal action against “anyone who has shown that he has committed a violation or abuse, regardless of their rank or position”.
The leader of the other claims to violate the ceasefire
The tension increased after a video statement from the influential other religious character Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajri, who accused the Syrian government units of violating the ceasefire agreement.
“We are exposed to a complete extermination cylinder,” Al-Hajri said. “I invite all the other to face this barbaric campaign with all available means.”
Shortly thereafter, the Syrian Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra announced a ceasefire and said government units would only shoot in self -defense. According to the Syrian intelligence agency Sany, he also deployed the military police into Sweid to “control military behavior and hold the violators.
Despite the declaration of a ceasefire, Reuters reported on Sweida ongoing shelling and violence, while the convoys of the Syrian army entered the neighborhoods and continued to shoot in residential areas.
“Deep Fraternity” with the Community of the other
In a joint statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyah and Defense Minister Israel said that Israel has ordered strikes to defend the other and enforce a long -term agreement on demilitarization in South Syria.
“Israel is determined to prevent the other in Syria because of the deep alliance with our other citizens in Israel,” the statement read. “We go to prevent the Syrian regime to damage them and ensure the demilitarization of an area adjacent to our border with Syria.”
The Israeli army said on Monday that it had hit several Syrian tanks that were approaching Sweida to “prevent their arrival in the area” and alleviate the potential threats for Israeli territory.
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Sectarian tension and fragile guidance
Violence is the main challenge for the temporary President of Syria Ahmed al-Sharaa, who, since the overthrow of Bashar Al-Assad in December, tried to determine control. Sharaa has received support from Trump’s administration, but still faces distrust of minority communities, especially after mass killing alawit in March.
The latest round of clashes between the fighters of the second and the government Bedouin militias displaced thousands and competitive statements from the leaders of the other complicated efforts to stabilize the region.
At the beginning of Tuesday, the other spiritual leaders issued a statement calling on militants to give up and cooperate with incoming Syrian troops. However, al-Hajri later claimed that the statement was “stored” by a dam and said that the Syrian forces had violated the agreement by continuing to shoot civilians.
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