U.S. Urges Israel to Halt Strikes in Syria
The U.S. has reportedly urged Israel to refrain from bombing Damascus, citing concerns for the Druze minority amidst rising sectarian violence. A senior official indicated this to Axios on Wednesday.
It appears that the Syrian envoy has been making multiple calls to Israeli officials in a bid to de-escalate the ongoing conflict. This comes as reports circulated earlier this week regarding violence against Druze and Bedouin communities in southern Syria, which has led the new Syrian government to take action.
In response, Israel has conducted strikes against Syria, emphasizing its commitment to protecting various religious and ethnic minorities. U.S. officials are encouraging Israel to seek a peaceful resolution with Syria’s new government, which took power after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
“We’ve advised the Israelis to take a moment to breathe,” the official mentioned to Axios.
The Druze community had been a significant ally to the Assad regime, benefitting from religious freedom under his governance. However, opinions among these communities vary regarding how to engage with the newly established government, raising uncertainties about the treatment of different minorities in Syria.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated in a release that the Syrian regime must relinquish control over Sweida and withdraw its troops. He added that the Israeli Defense Forces would continue to target regime forces until that occurs, warning that a stronger response would follow if the situation remains unchanged.
There had been hopes for Syria to join the Abraham Accords under the new government, possibly normalizing relations with Israel. Yet, with the ongoing bombings, the prospect of normalization now seems uncertain as Syria has condemned these actions, complicating efforts for a fragile ceasefire.
The Department of Defense has been referred to regarding this matter, but there hasn’t been an immediate response to inquiries from the Daily Caller News Foundation.
