Rubio: Damascus Must Hold All Perpetrators of Atrocities in Sweida Accountable

SadaNews - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that Damascus must hold all perpetrators of atrocities in the Sweida province accountable and bring them to justice.

 

The U.S. Secretary of State commented on the developments in Sweida province in southwestern Syria following the clashes that took place between Bedouin tribes and local Druze armed factions.

Rubio wrote on the "X" platform: "We have been in intensive communication over the past days with Israel, Jordan, and Damascus regarding the developments in southern Syria, and the violations and killings of innocents that have occurred and continue to occur in Syria must stop."

He pointed out that "if Damascus wants to preserve the opportunity for a unified Syria, it must put an end to these violations."

He added: "The fighting between the Druze and Bedouin groups must stop immediately, and Damascus must hold accountable and bring anyone guilty of committing atrocities to justice."

He continued: "The violations that have occurred and continue to occur in Syria must stop, as well as the rapes and killings of innocents that have taken place and are still happening."

He emphasized that the authorities in Damascus must use their security forces to prevent ISIS and any jihadists from entering Sweida.

The Syrian presidency announced yesterday morning, Saturday, a ceasefire in Sweida between the Syrian tribes and the Druze factions, demanding all parties to adhere to the implementation of the agreement under threat of accountability.

On Saturday evening, the spokesman for the Interior Ministry, Nour al-Din al-Baba, announced the evacuation of the city of Sweida from all fighters of the Bedouin tribes and the cessation of clashes in the neighborhoods of the city.

Source: RT