Merve Aydogan
18 July 2025•Update: 18 July 2025
HAMILTON, Canada
The US said Thursday it is "actively working" with Türkiye and other international allies to support "a peaceful and inclusive resolution" in Syria.
"The United States supports Syria's national unity and seeks a peaceful and inclusive resolution with its minority constituents," US Chargé d'Affaires ad interim Dorothy Shea said at a Security Council meeting, noting that her country is "actively working toward that end and has welcomed the support of our allies, including Türkiye, France, the UK, Jordan, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, who are working toward the same issue."
Shea said Washington "unequivocally condemns the violence in Suwayda" and called on all parties to "step back and engage in meaningful dialog that leads to a lasting ceasefire."
She added: "Over the last 48 hours, the US has led diplomatic efforts to promote real de-escalation and peace."
"While the United States did not support recent Israeli strikes, we are engaging diplomatically with Israel and Syria at the highest levels, both to address the present crisis and reach a lasting agreement between two sovereign states," she noted.
Citing reports of "atrocities committed against Syrian civilians," Shea called on the Syrian government to "investigate all reports of abuse and hold the perpetrators accountable."
"We are actively engaging all constituencies in Syria to navigate toward calm and continued discussions on integration and a stable, more prosperous future for all Syrians," she said.
On June 13, clashes broke out between Bedouin Arab tribes and local Druze armed groups in Suwayda. The violence escalated, leading to deadly attacks by Druze fighters on Syrian security forces deployed in the area. Dozens of soldiers were reportedly killed.
A temporary ceasefire was reached between government forces and local Druze factions, but soon collapsed. Israeli airstrikes followed, targeting Syrian military positions and infrastructure.
Israel has cited “protection of Druze communities” as a pretext for its attacks in Syria, especially in the country’s south.
However, most Druze leaders in Syria have publicly rejected any foreign interference and reaffirmed their commitment to a unified Syrian state.
Following the fall of Assad in December 2024, Israel intensified its air campaign in Syria and declared the buffer zone between the two countries defunct alongside the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.
