ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - US Ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack on Sunday called the events in southern Syria a “profound shock” that could “undermine the government’s authority” in Damascus, urging all armed groups, especially tribal fighters connected to Damascus, to “immediately lay down their arms.”

 

Violence broke out in Syria’s Suwayda last week, with Bedouin tribal groups fighting against internal security forces in the Druze-majority area, a bloody fight that led to the death of hundreds. 

 

“The international community has largely rallied behind the nascent Syrian government, watching with cautious optimism as it tries to move from a legacy of pain to a future of hope. However, this fragile goal is now overshadowed by profound shock, as brutal acts by fighting factions on the ground weaken the government’s authority and cause chaos,” Barrack wrote on X. 

 

Barrack’s strong warnings came as the Syrian government announced that fighting in Suwayda had stopped on Sunday and tribal fighters had pulled out, after Druze fighters recaptured the city. The Syrian government’s “specialized force” was deployed to the Druze-majority Suwayda, where more than 900 people were reported killed in the violence.

 

"After intensive efforts by the Ministry of Interior to implement the ceasefire, following the deployment of its forces in the northern and western parts of Sweida Governorate, the city of Sweida was cleared of all tribal fighters, and clashes in the neighborhoods halted,” Syrian interior ministry spokesman Noureddine al-Baba said on Telegram.

 

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said Saturday that the events in Suwayda marked “a dangerous turning point” for the country’s security and politics, while disowning the violations during the clashes.

 

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanded an end to "the rape and slaughter of innocent people" in Syria, in a post on X on Saturday.

 

 

The clashes in Suwayda also led to Israeli strikes on Syria, claiming support for the Druze minority. At least three people died, and 34 others were injured in an Israeli attack on central Damascus Wednesday.

 

Syria has repeatedly fallen into sectarian conflict since December, when Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebels overthrew Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Despite promises of inclusion, minorities are still cautious about the new government.

 

The Druze are a religious minority living in Syria and other parts of the Levant. They follow an Abrahamic faith and call themselves al-Muwahhidun (the monotheists).