WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Sunday that “The rape and slaughter of innocent people which has and is still occuring must end.” urging the Syrian government to uphold a recently brokered ceasefire in Suwayda.
“The U.S. has remained heavily involved over the last three days with Israel, Jordan and authorities in Damascus on the horrifying & dangerous developments in southern Syria. ” Rubio said in a statement posted on X.
Rubio warned that Syria’s path to becoming a unified, inclusive, and peaceful nation, free from Islamic State (ISIS) and Iranian control, depends on its willingness to take responsibility for protecting civilians.
“If authorities in Damascus want to preserve any chance of achieving a unified, inclusive and peaceful Syria, … they must hold accountable and bring to justice anyone guilty of atrocities including those in their own ranks.” he added.
Read more: Syria and Israel reach ceasefire deal in Sweida – U.S. envoy
The top U.S. diplomat called on Damascus to deploy security forces to prevent the infiltration of jihadist groups, including ISIS, and to ensure that all individuals responsible for atrocities, including those within government ranks, are brought to justice.
He also urged an immediate halt to the ongoing clashes between local factions and tribal groups in the region.
On Saturday, Syria’s Ministry of Interior announced that tribal fighters had been evacuated from Suwayda city and that armed clashes within the city had ceased.
Spokesman Nour al-Din al-Baba told the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) that “all tribal militants have been removed from Suwayda city,” noting that the move followed sustained efforts by the ministry to enforce the ceasefire and deploy internal security forces across the northern and western sectors of the province.
Read more: Jordan Hosts Syria, U.S. for Talks on Suwayda Ceasefire Implementation
Also on Saturday, senior diplomats from Syria, Jordan, and the United States met in Amman to discuss the situation. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, and U.S. envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack held a trilateral meeting focused on ensuring the ceasefire’s durability in Suwayda.
Earlier that day, U.S. envoy Thomas Barrack announced a ceasefire agreement between Syria and Israel regarding Suwayda, brokered with support from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The deal was also endorsed by Turkey, Jordan, and other regional neighbors.
