US Condemns Israeli Strikes on Syria, but Fails to Support Ceasefire

Strategic Insights -

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa credited US mediation for saving the region from an uncertain fate, but accused Israel of seeking to dismantle the unity of the Syrian people. The violence has underlined the challenges Sharaa faces in stabilizing Syria and exerting centralized rule. The US State Department spokesperson, Tammy Bruce, said the United States condemned violence in Syria and was actively engaging all constituencies there, calling on the Syrian government to lead the path forward. The Israeli airstrikes in Damascus and the south of Syria have resulted in the deaths of at least 254 people, including medical personnel, women, and children, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights.

Key Takeaways:

  • The United States condemned the violence in Syria and expressed its displeasure with the Israeli strikes, but failed to support the recent ceasefire.
  • Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa credited US mediation for saving the region from an uncertain fate and accused Israel of seeking to dismantle the unity of the Syrian people.
  • The violence in Sweida province has resulted in the deaths of at least 254 people, including medical personnel, women, and children, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights.
  • The Syrian leader, Sharaa, promised to protect the Druze minority and vowed to hold accountable those who committed violations against them.
  • The US, Arab, and Turkish mediation helped to broker a ceasefire in Sweida, but the Bedouin fighters launched a new offensive against Druze fighters, threatening the fragile truce.
  • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated Israel's policy to protect the Druze and demanded the demilitarization of a swathe of territory near the border.

Statistics:

  • At least 254 people have been killed in four days of fighting in Sweida province, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights.
  • All 22 Arab states issued a joint statement reaffirming support for Syria's "security, unity, stability, and sovereignty" and rejecting all foreign interference in its affairs.
  • The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, said the United States had engaged all parties and steps had been agreed to end a "troubling and horrifying situation".
  • The Syrian state news agency reported that Israel carried out an airstrike on the vicinity of Syria's Sweida, where scores of people have been killed in days of conflict pitting Druze fighters against government troops and Bedouin tribes.

Sources:

  • Reuters
  • Syrian Network for Human Rights
  • US State Department spokesperson, Tammy Bruce
  • Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa
  • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
  • Reuters reporting by Timour Azhari, Suleiman al-Khalidi, and Kinda Makieh in Damascus, Maya Gebeily in Beirut, Steven Scheer and Emily Rose in Jerusalem, Ahmed Elimam in Dubai, Muhammad Al Gebaly in Cairo, Michelle Nichols at the United Nations, and Reuters bureaux.
  • Writing by Tom Perry, Michael Perry, and David Brunnstrom.