US Takes Credit for Israel, Syria Ceasefire Deal

(MENAFN) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Syria’s interim leader Ahmad al-Sharaa have reportedly agreed to a ceasefire proposal backed by the United States.

This follows a series of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) airstrikes on the Syrian Defense Ministry in Damascus, which were allegedly carried out to protect the Druze minority in southern Syria.

The military action was part of Israel’s broader strategy to ensure the safety of this vulnerable group amidst escalating tensions in the region.

Tom Barrack, the US special envoy and ambassador to Türkiye, attributed the successful ceasefire agreement to American diplomatic efforts under the leadership of President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Barrack described the agreement as a "breakthrough" and expressed his optimism for the future of Syrian unity.

He emphasized in a statement posted on X that the peace initiative called for various ethnic groups, including Druze, Bedouins, and Sunnis, to “put down their weapons and, together with other minorities, build a new and united Syrian identity in peace and prosperity with its neighbors.”

He also noted that the ceasefire had been welcomed by both Türkiye and Jordan.

The announcement came after a week of intense violence in Sweida province, where clashes broke out between Druze militias, Bedouin tribes, and Syrian government forces.

The fighting was further exacerbated by multiple Israeli airstrikes targeting strategic locations, including the Syrian Defense Ministry.

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