Syrian hostilities expected to conclude tonight, according to Rubio
In a significant development, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced that all parties involved in the ongoing violence in Syria's Druze governorate of Sweida have agreed on specific steps to bring an end to the clashes. The announcement was made on July 16-17, 2025, and Rubio emphasised the urgency for all parties to deliver on the commitments they have made, aiming to end the "troubling and horrifying" situation immediately.
The agreement, which involves direct US engagement and mediation among the Syrian regime, Israel, Druze factions, and other militias, is aimed at ceasing hostilities immediately, with the hope that the region will find peace and stability soon.
Israel's recent strike on the Syrian Defence Ministry headquarters, which was part of their response to escalating violence against the Druze minority, has been described by Rubio as a "misunderstanding". The US Secretary of State underscored the complex historic rivalries that underlie the violence in the region, urging calm and cooperation among all sides.
The main points Rubio emphasised include:
1. US diplomatic efforts have convened all parties involved in the fighting and brokered an agreement for specific measures to cease hostilities immediately. 2. Israel's intervention aimed to protect the Druze minority from persecution and violence by regime forces and militias in Syria, a key factor addressed in negotiations. 3. Rubio called for commitment and delivery on promises made by all parties to foster peace and stability in the region. 4. The US approach involves careful navigation of long-standing tribal and sectarian rivalries underlying the violence, aiming to transform Syria into a "beacon of hope" following decades of conflict.
The specific steps proposed include:
1. An immediate ceasefire agreement negotiated directly with all parties. 2. Commitment by Syrian government forces, Israeli forces, and local militias to protect the Druze community. 3. Continuous US diplomatic engagement to ensure implementation of the ceasefire and protection for minorities. 4. De-escalation of cross-border attacks and violence, with monitoring to prevent misunderstandings similar to the recent Israel airstrike.
This complex international effort primarily brokered by the US seeks to reconcile the involved groups and end the violence around the Druze population in Sweida without further confrontation. Washington is involved in a diplomatic rush to ease the situation in the region, with Rubio having spoken with all parties involved in the clashes in Syria. Rubio expects all parties to deliver on the commitments they have made to bring the situation in Syria to an end tonight.
In the efforts to resolve the ongoing violence in Syria's Druze governorate of Sweida, the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has emphasized US diplomacy involving the Syrian regime, Israel, Druze factions, and other militias to end hostilities immediately and seek peace and stability in the region. Rubio expressed Israel's recent strike on the Syrian Defense Ministry as a "misunderstanding," and he called for all parties to commit to their promises in order to foster peace and stabilize the region, with a focus on protecting the Druze minority. The specific steps proposed in this diplomatic initiative aim to achieve a ceasefire, protect the Druze community, monitor cross-border attacks, and prevent future misunderstandings.
