Marco Rubio: Damascus Must End the Disaster in Sweida and Hold Accountable Those Involved

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed that his country was in contact with Israel, Jordan, and Damascus regarding the recent developments in southern Syria, referring to what happened in Sweida in the past few days.

He emphasized early this morning on Platform X that the fighting in Sweida must stop, stressing the need for the authorities in Damascus to contribute to maintaining the opportunity to achieve a unified Syria.

Rubio also stressed the need to hold accountable anyone involved in massacres in southern Syria, stop the ongoing clashes between Druze and Bedouin groups immediately, and stated that violations and killings of innocents are still occurring in southern Syria and must be stopped immediately.

He affirmed that the authorities in Damascus are required to use their security forces to prevent the entry of ISIS and other jihadist groups into Sweida and work on bringing those responsible for atrocities to justice, including those belonging to official institutions.

He pointed out that the continuation of these violations threatens any chance of achieving unity in Syria, calling for resolving the crisis before it escalates.

These statements came after the Syrian Interior Ministry announced the implementation of a ceasefire agreement in Sweida, indicating that the city has become free of tribal fighters.

The ministry's spokesperson, Nour al-Din al-Baba, stated that security forces have been deployed in the northern and western regions of Sweida province after significant efforts to implement the agreement, and the city has been completely evacuated.

Similarly, the Syrian Tribal Council announced the withdrawal of all its fighters from the city of Sweida in compliance with the directives of the Syrian presidency related to the ceasefire agreement, as reported by the Syrian News Channel.

The council explained that adherence to the ceasefire comes within the framework of de-escalation and avoiding further escalation.

The Syrian Ministry of Health also announced the urgent dispatch of a medical convoy to Sweida consisting of 20 equipped ambulances accompanied by a specialized medical team.

A source in the Syrian Interior Ministry revealed on Saturday the main provisions of the ceasefire agreement in Sweida, which came after intensive efforts to contain the security tension.

He explained that the agreement includes the deployment of internal security forces as conflict resolution forces in the northern and western countryside of Sweida, in addition to the deployment of Syrian security forces only on main roads and not inside cities, aiming at de-escalation and stabilizing the situation.

The agreement also stipulates the implementation of its provisions within 48 hours, including opening humanitarian crossings between Daraa and Sweida to secure the exit of civilians and the injured, as well as a clause related to securing the release of detainees from the Bedouin tribes held by outlaw groups as a necessary step to build trust and avoid any subsequent escalation.

Earlier on Saturday, the Syrian presidency announced a comprehensive and immediate ceasefire following hours after the US envoy to Syria, Thomas Barrack, announced an agreement between Israel and Syria on a ceasefire after the clashes that erupted in the Druze-majority area.

The Syrian presidency affirmed in its statement that any violation of the ceasefire constitutes a violation of sovereignty.

It is worth mentioning that tension in southern Syria escalated on July 13 after clashes broke out in Sweida province between local Druze elements and Bedouin tribes.

On July 15, Syrian security forces entered the city to try to control the situation, but Israel quickly launched strikes on Syrian military vehicles en route to Sweida and targeted several strategic sites in the capital Damascus on July 16.

Following that, the Syrian Ministry of Defense announced on the evening of July 16 the withdrawal of all military forces from the city of Sweida in compliance with the ceasefire agreement, despite the ongoing clashes in the city's surroundings.

Subsequently, a new agreement was reached and implemented early yesterday morning, followed by a security deployment in the province and a withdrawal of tribes.

Finally, the US Secretary of State emphasized that ending what is happening in the south is Damascus' responsibility, and if it is serious about maintaining a unified Syria, it must prevent ISIS and other violent groups from infiltrating Sweida, ensure accountability for all responsible for crimes, including those affiliated with its institutions, and immediately stop the fighting between Druze and Bedouin groups in the besieged area.