The United States on Thursday issued a renewed call for restraint and diplomacy in Syria, urging all parties—including Israel and the Syrian government—to engage in “meaningful dialogue” amid worsening violence in the southern province of Sweida.
The U.S. State Department condemned the ongoing clashes and emphasized the need for a lasting ceasefire. “All parties must step back and engage in meaningful dialogue that leads to lasting peace,” said a spokesperson. The department also reiterated Washington’s commitment to de-escalation, clarifying that it does not support Israel’s recent military actions in Syria.
Fighting has intensified in Sweida between government forces and Druze militias, with Bedouin fighters also launching new offensives despite a temporary truce. The situation has led to significant casualties and threatens to derail Syria’s fragile post-war transition.
Speaking to reporters, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said the U.S. is “actively engaging all constituencies in Syria to work toward calm and continued integration.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio added that efforts were underway to achieve a “real de-escalation.”
Meanwhile, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Syrian government forces have begun to withdraw from the region. “Syria agreed to draw back their troops from the area where clashes were ongoing,” she said, noting that the situation remains under close U.S. monitoring.
Background: The Crisis in Sweida
Clashes erupted earlier this month in the southern Syrian province of Sweida, a stronghold of the country’s Druze minority. A U.S.-brokered ceasefire helped momentarily halt the fighting, but violence resumed as Bedouin militias claimed the truce applied only to Syrian government forces.
Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, accused Israel of provoking the conflict, while also pledging to defend the Druze community. On Thursday, al-Sharaa announced that Druze religious leaders would take on security responsibilities under the new truce agreement.
Israel, for its part, has vowed to maintain a demilitarized southern Syria and ensure protection for the Druze. “This remains our policy,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.
Casualties Mount
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), at least 594 people have been killed in Sweida since the outbreak of fighting. The toll includes 300 Druze fighters and civilians, 257 Syrian government personnel, and 18 Bedouin fighters. Three Bedouin tribe members were reportedly executed by Druze fighters, SOHR said.
The United States continues to push for de-escalation and stresses that long-term peace can only come through inclusive, good-faith negotiations between all sides involved.
