US Envoy Condemns Civilian Violence in Suwayda, Urges Immediate Ceasefire and Dialogue
“We unequivocally condemn violence against civilians in Suwayda. Full stop,” Ambassador Barrack wrote in a statement posted to X. “All parties must step back and engage in meaningful dialogue that leads to a lasting ceasefire. Perpetrators need to be held accountable.”
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, on Tuesday issued a strong condemnation of the recent violence against civilians in Syria’s southern Suwayda province, where clashes between Druze fighters and armed Bedouin groups have escalated in recent days.
“We unequivocally condemn violence against civilians in Suwayda. Full stop,” Ambassador Barrack wrote in a statement posted to X. “All parties must step back and engage in meaningful dialogue that leads to a lasting ceasefire. Perpetrators need to be held accountable.”
We unequivocally condemn violence against civilians in Suwayda. Full stop. All parties must step back and engage in meaningful dialogue that leads to a lasting ceasefire. Perpetrators need to be held accountable.
— Ambassador Tom Barrack (@USAMBTurkiye) July 16, 2025
The U.S. envoy’s remarks come amid growing international concern over the deteriorating situation in Suwayda, where dozens of people have been killed in tribal and sectarian clashes. Violence erupted after tensions flared between local Druze fighters and armed Sunni Bedouin tribes, particularly in rural areas around the city of Suwayda.
Over the past week, the conflict has intensified, drawing in local militias and triggering retaliatory attacks. Civilians have borne the brunt of the violence, with homes destroyed, displacement reported, and fears of broader instability mounting in a region that had largely remained calm during much of Syria's civil war.
Barrack’s statement underscores Washington’s growing alarm at the renewed fighting and its potential to derail fragile local stability. The U.S. has repeatedly emphasized the need for inclusive dialogue and de-escalation across Syria, particularly in regions with diverse ethnic and religious populations.
The ambassador’s call adds to a growing chorus of international voices urging an immediate end to hostilities and the launch of a serious reconciliation process to prevent further bloodshed.
