The United States has announced that “specific steps” have been agreed upon to end the escalating violence in Syria, which has seen the Israeli military strike Syrian Defense Ministry targets in Damascus and government forces in the country’s south for a third consecutive day. This comes as deadly sectarian clashes continue in the predominantly Druze province of Sweida.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that his country “is working to save our Druze brothers.” Meanwhile, Syria’s interim President, Ahmed al-Sharaa, accused Israel of causing a “high-level escalation,” according to BBC television.
Escalation in Sweida and U.S. Intervention
More than 350 people are reported killed since Sunday, when clashes erupted in Sweida between Druze community militants and Bedouin tribes. The Syrian army reportedly began withdrawing forces from Sweida late on Wednesday, coinciding with the U.S. announcement.
“We have agreed on specific steps that will put an end to this turmoil and terrifying situation tonight,” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
UN Security Council to Address Conflict
The United Nations Security Council is scheduled to meet on Thursday to address the conflict, diplomats confirmed.
“The Council must condemn the barbaric crimes committed against innocent civilians on Syrian soil,” said Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon. “Israel will continue to act resolutely against any terrorist threat to its borders, anywhere and at any time,” he added.
