Ceasefire In Syria’s Sweida After Clashes, US Says ‘Very Concerned’ Over Israeli Strikes
Following Israeli strikes near Damascus, killing one and injuring 18, US Secretary of State Rubio expressed "very concerned" and contacted involved parties.
Syria's Druze reached a ceasefire agreement with the Syrian government in Sweida on Wednesday, reports news agency Reuters, quoting religious leader Sheikh Yousef Jarbou, who said in a video broadcast by state media on Wednesday. An earlier ceasefire announced on Tuesday night collapsed after only a few hours.
Syrian officials and Druze leaders announce new ceasefire after days of fighting, following breakdown of previous truce, reports AP
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 16, 2025
Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that he was “very concerned” about the Israeli strikes in Syria's Damascus on Wednesday that killed one and injured at least 18. The Israeli army launched a new round of strikes near the Syrian army and the Defence ministry headquarters on Wednesday, reports state-run television.
“We’re going to be working on that issue … I just got off the phone with the relevant parties. We’re very concerned about it, and hopefully, we’ll have some updates later today. But we’re very concerned about it,” Rubio said.
The attack by Israel came amid continuing unrest in the city of Suwayda, where local Sunni Bedouin tribes have been engaged in fierce clashes in recent days with fighters from Syria’s Druze minority, whom Israel views as a potential ally in Syria and claims to be intervening to protect.
According to news agency AP, the Israeli army said it struck near the entrance to the Syrian Ministry of Defence in Damascus. It has launched a series of airstrikes on convoys of the government forces in southern Syria since the clashes erupted and has also beefed up forces on the border.
Earlier, the Defence Ministry of Syria had blamed the militias in the Druze-majority area of Sweida for violating a ceasefire agreement that had been reached Tuesday, causing Syrian army soldiers to return fire. It said they were “adhering to rules of engagement to protect residents, prevent harm, and ensure the safe return of those who left the city back to their homes,” reports news agency AP.
How Turkey React To Attack?
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye condemned the attacks and said that they were an attempt to sabotage Syria’s efforts to achieve peace, stability, and security.
“The Syrian people have a historic opportunity to live in peace and integrate with the world,” the ministry said.
“All stakeholders who support this opportunity should contribute to the Syrian government’s efforts to restore peace.”
The attack was also condemned by Omer Celik, spokesperson for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s governing AK Party.
“Israel’s attacks pose a security threat to the entire region and the world,” Celik wrote on X.
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