Washington D.C./New York – July 18, 2025 –
The United States on Thursday, July 17th, unequivocally condemned the escalating violence in Syria, particularly in the southern region, and announced that Secretary of State Marco Rubio was actively engaged in leading diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the volatile situation. The condemnation and diplomatic push come as new clashes threaten to destabilize the country further, jeopardizing its already fragile path towards peace.
Intensified Violence Sparks International Concern
The latest wave of violence, which began on July 13th, has gripped the predominantly Druze city of Suweida and its surrounding villages in southern Syria. Clashes initially erupted between Druze and Bedouin armed groups, but quickly escalated with the intervention of Syrian transitional government forces. Reports indicate a dire humanitarian situation, with hundreds of civilians killed, injured, or displaced, and critical infrastructure, including water, electricity, and telecommunications networks, damaged. The UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir O. Pedersen, noted on July 17th that the escalation has “claimed the lives of hundreds of civilians, as well as interim authority forces and local armed groups, and injured and displaced many more,” expressing deep concern over “serious allegations of extrajudicial executions and arbitrary killings.”
Compounding the crisis, Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Syrian territory between July 14th and 16th, targeting Syrian military forces in Daraa and Suweida, and even striking the headquarters of the Syrian Ministry of Defence and an area near the presidential palace in Damascus. Israel stated its actions were in defense of the Druze community, a significant minority also present in Israel. Syria’s foreign ministry has accused Israel of inflaming sectarian tensions and violating its sovereignty, asserting that Israel’s actions undermine efforts to build a new Syria at peace with itself and the region. The UN Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East and Asia, Khaled Khiari, echoed this sentiment at an emergency UN Security Council briefing on July 17th, condemning Israel’s “escalatory airstrikes.”
Secretary Rubio at the Forefront of De-escalation
In response to the rapidly deteriorating situation, the United States Department of State issued a strong condemnation of the violence on July 17th. “The United States unequivocally condemns this violence. All parties must step back and engage in meaningful dialogue that leads to a lasting ceasefire,” stated a State Department spokesperson.
Crucially, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has taken a direct and active role in leading diplomatic efforts to promote real de-escalation and peace over the past 48 hours. As he noted on July 16th and reiterated on July 17th, “We have engaged all the parties involved in the clashes in Syria. We have agreed on specific steps that will bring this troubling and horrifying situation to an end tonight.” Rubio emphasized that the success of these efforts hinges on “all parties to deliver on the commitments they have made, and this is what we fully expect them to do.”
A U.S. State Department official, speaking anonymously to Reuters, confirmed that there is “no change in US policy toward Syria,” reiterating Washington’s condemnation of the escalating violence in Suweida and calling for an immediate investigation into human rights violations and accountability for those responsible. The official stressed the need for all parties to de-escalate and engage in serious dialogue to achieve a lasting ceasefire.
Fragile Ceasefire and Ongoing Concerns
Late on July 16th, the Syrian interim authorities reportedly agreed to a ceasefire with Druze religious leaders and began to withdraw their armed forces from Suweida City. This agreement purportedly includes a mutual commitment to cease hostilities, the full integration of Suweida into the Syrian state, and the establishment of a joint committee to monitor the implementation of the agreement’s terms. Syria’s interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa stressed on July 17th that the Druze are an “integral part” of the country and announced the decision to entrust local factions and Druze religious leaders with maintaining security in Suweida.
However, concerns remain. Despite the ceasefire announcement, Israel reportedly continued its strikes, with reports on July 18th of an attack on Syria’s Palmyra-Homs highway targeting a convoy of Bedouin fighters reportedly en route to Suweida. This underscores the fragility of any agreement and the complex interplay of internal and external actors in the Syrian conflict.
The United States continues to advocate for all sides to de-escalate immediately and engage in meaningful dialogue. The diplomatic push led by Secretary Rubio aims to prevent further destabilization in a region already ravaged by years of conflict and to protect the civilian population caught in the crossfire.
