United States and Jordan launch collaborative initiative to bolster peace negotiations in Sweden
A significant diplomatic initiative has been launched to address the ongoing crisis in the Syrian region of As-Sweida (Sweida) Governorate. The trilateral working group, consisting of senior officials from Jordan, the United States, and Syria, was established with the aim of stabilizing the ceasefire in Sweida and supporting Syria's reconstruction.
The purpose of this trilateral partnership is multifaceted. It aims to support Syria's stabilization and the ceasefire in Sweida, an area that has been affected by deadly sectarian clashes involving Druze and Sunni Bedouin communities. The group also seeks to cooperate on Syria's reconstruction based on principles that ensure Syria's security, stability, sovereignty, unity, non-interference in its internal affairs, and meeting the aspirations and safeguarding the rights of all Syrians.
Moreover, the working group aims to promote regional security, support Syria in restoring basic services, hold perpetrators accountable, and enable the return of displaced people. The group also intends to continue dialogue and coordination among the three countries to strengthen Syria’s future.
The trilateral working group comprises key figures from each country. Jordan is represented by Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, who also serves as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates. Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani (also known as Asaad al-Shaibani or Assad al-Shaybani) is the Syrian representative. The United States is represented by Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack, who is also the US Ambassador to Turkey.
The working group was agreed upon during a trilateral meeting held on August 12, 2025, in Amman, Jordan. This meeting was a follow-up to earlier talks in mid-July focusing on the ceasefire in Sweida, where a week of sectarian violence resulted in over 1,400 deaths before a ceasefire was reached.
During the meeting, the parties emphasized the integral nature of Sweida within Syria and underscored the need to protect its population’s rights while working on Syria’s reconstruction. Jordan and the US reiterated full support and solidarity with Syria’s sovereignty, stability, and security. Another meeting is planned in the coming weeks to continue discussions and strengthen coordination.
The ceasefire ended a week of violence in Sweida that left 1,400 dead, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The trilateral working group is intended to resolve the crisis in the predominantly Druze region in southern Syria. The massacre of over 1,700 civilians, mostly from the Alawite community, has reignited doubts about the new authorities' ability to manage sectarian tensions.
The discussion focused on Syria's regional sovereignty and security. Syrian Foreign Minister Assaad al-Shaibani affirmed the new authorities' commitment to protecting all ethnic and religious groups. King Abdullah II expressed "support for Syria's efforts" to maintain stability, according to a statement from the Jordanian Royal Palace.
Since the ceasefire, the situation in Sweida has remained tense. Violence between Druze fighters and Sunni Bedouin led to the intervention of government forces, tribal fighters, and the Israeli army, which carried out attacks in support of the Druze. The meeting was described as "constructive and transparent" by al-Shaibani.
King Abdullah II stressed the importance of the United States' role in supporting the reconstruction of Syria. US Secretary Rubio had previously stressed the need for dialogue and a trilateral agreement to maintain Syria's ceasefire as of late July 2025. Al-Shaibani reaffirmed the Syrian authorities' commitment to holding accountable anyone who has committed violence.
Syria's minorities have expressed fears since the fall of former president Bashar al-Assad in December 2011. The agreement was announced at the end of a meeting in Aqaba. No new meetings between the trilateral working group (Jordan, the United States, and Syria) have been scheduled since the announcement of their formation. The latest meeting in Aqaba followed deadly clashes in Sweida province in July. Another meeting is scheduled to take place in the coming weeks.
The trilateral working group, consisting of Jordan, the United States, and Syria, aims to support Syria's reconstruction based on principles that ensure Syria's security, stability, sovereignty, unity, non-interference in its internal affairs, and meeting the aspirations and safeguarding the rights of all Syrians. This partnership also intends to promote world peace by addressing ongoing world issues such as war-and-conflicts, including the crisis in the Syrian region of As-Sweida Governorate, and foster regional security and stability.
