Syria civil war fears are rising sharply following a stark warning from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that Syria may face total collapse within weeks.
Rubio defended President Donald Trump’s decision to lift US sanctions on Syria. Trump made the decision before meeting interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at a summit in Saudi Arabia.
Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda commander, helped lead the offensive that ousted Bashar al-Assad in December. Trump argued that other nations were ready to send aid but feared US sanctions.
Syria’s transitional authority, now led by Sharaa, faces severe instability. Rubio explained that if the US refuses to engage, the crisis will worsen. He added that engagement might succeed, while non-engagement guarantees failure.
Syria civil war fears have deepened after two waves of deadly violence rocked the country. In March, nearly 900 civilians were killed in the coastal region. Many victims belonged to Assad’s Alawite sect.
More violence erupted in early May, when over 100 people died in clashes near Damascus and in Suweida. The fighting involved Druze fighters, security forces, and Sunni Islamist militias.
The transitional government is largely controlled by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a former al-Qaeda affiliate. This group remains designated as a terrorist organization by the US, UK, EU, and UN.
Sharaa still appears on the US list of global terrorists. However, the Biden administration dropped the $10 million bounty for his arrest in December.
Trump met Sharaa during the Riyadh summit and described him as “a strong fighter” who could rebuild Syria. Trump praised him as “young, attractive,” and said he “has a real shot.”
Sharaa welcomed the end of sanctions. He called it a courageous decision that would reduce suffering and bring hope to Syrians.
Rubio acknowledged that the new leaders failed background checks. But he insisted that time is short, and Syria could break apart soon.
As Rubio spoke, the European Union also lifted its sanctions on Syria. EU leaders said they wanted to help build a peaceful and inclusive Syria.
Syria civil war fears will continue unless transitional leaders earn public trust and international support.
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