US Announces Steps to End Violence in Syria Following Israeli Strikes on Damascus

Israeli airstrikes targeted Syria's defence ministry in Damascus and government forces in southern Syria on Wednesday, as sectarian clashes in Suweida province entered their fourth day. The violence has resulted in more than 300 reported deaths since Sunday, following fighting between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated he was "very worried" about the situation but expressed optimism that it would end soon. > "We have agreed on specific steps that will bring this troubling and horrifying situation to an end tonight," Rubio wrote on X on Wednesday evening. Syria's foreign ministry welcomed efforts by the US and Arab countries to resolve the crisis peacefully.

Syrian troops have begun withdrawing from Suweida, according to the state news agency Sana, as part of an agreement between the government and local religious leaders. The Israeli military began its strikes on Monday after Syrian security forces were deployed to Suweida for the first time since President Bashar al-Assad was overthrown by Sunni Islamist-led rebels in December.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was acting to protect the Druze community and eliminate what he described as "regime's gangs." Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that Israeli forces would continue operations in Suweida until hostile forces withdrew. The Israeli military reported targeting sites in Damascus, including near the presidential palace, as well as armoured vehicles and weapons bound for Suweida.

Syria's foreign ministry condemned the strikes as "treacherous aggression," alleging they targeted government and civilian facilities and resulted in civilian deaths. The ministry described the attacks as a violation of international law and an attempt to destabilize Syria.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported worsening humanitarian conditions in Suweida, including clashes near the national hospital, shortages of water and medical supplies, and civilian casualties. The Syrian health ministry said government forces found dozens of bodies at the hospital after opposition groups withdrew. Local residents described chaos and fear amid ongoing artillery and sniper fire.

The Syrian interior ministry announced a ceasefire agreement on Wednesday night to end the fighting in Suweida city. The BBC could not independently verify casualty figures provided by monitoring groups.