Israel and Syria Agree to Ceasefire After Deadly Clashes — US Backs Peace Push
A surprise ceasefire deal between Israel and Syria is raising hopes for peace after days of deadly violence. The announcement came Friday from Tom Barrack, the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and special envoy to Syria, who said both sides have agreed to stop fighting — and that neighboring countries are supporting the move.
Ceasefire After Airstrikes and Rising Tensions
The ceasefire follows Israeli airstrikes on Syria earlier this week. Israel said the attacks were to protect the Druze minority — an Arab religious group — after violent clashes broke out in southern Syria.
Fighting between Syrian government forces, Druze militias, and Bedouin tribes in the Suwayda region has killed dozens in recent days. The unrest escalated after Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s troops got involved.
In a dramatic moment caught live on Syrian TV, one of Israel’s airstrikes hit a government building in Damascus, forcing the anchor to duck for cover. Syrian officials said at least three people were killed in the strikes.
Syria and Neighbors Welcome Peace Effort
Ambassador Barrack posted on X (formerly Twitter) that Turkey, Jordan, and other countries in the region have “embraced” the deal.
“We call upon Druze, Bedouins, and Sunnis to put down their weapons,” Barrack wrote, urging all groups in Syria to come together and rebuild the country in peace.
So far, neither Syria nor Israel has officially commented on the ceasefire. But earlier this week, President al-Sharaa said Syrian forces were beginning to pull out of Suwayda, where most of the recent fighting took place. He also announced a local truce with the Druze factions.
Still, in a televised speech, al-Sharaa blamed Israel for trying to divide the Syrian people and turning Syria into a “battlefield of chaos.”
US Steps In With Diplomatic Push
The United States has been pushing hard behind the scenes to cool things down. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Friday. Both sides reportedly agreed that all parties must follow through on peace commitments.
“This will require all parties to deliver on the commitments they have made, and this is what we fully expect them to do,” Rubio posted on X.
Amos Yadlin, a former Israeli intelligence chief, told CNN the international involvement is promising. But he warned that real peace depends on whether people on the ground stop retaliating.
What’s Next?
While the ceasefire is a positive step, it’s not yet clear if it will hold. Tensions remain high in southern Syria, and the country is still deeply divided. But with pressure from the U.S., Turkey, and Jordan, there’s a chance this could lead to more lasting peace talks — and maybe even a path toward rebuilding a war-torn nation.
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