The Syrian Crisis: US Diplomat Warns of Imminent Civil War
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has sounded the alarm on Syria, warning that the country could be on the brink of a civil war of “epic proportions” within weeks. Speaking to lawmakers in Washington, Rubio defended President Donald Trump’s approach to Syria, including the decision to lift unilateral sanctions and meet with the new Syrian president, Ahmed al-Sharaa. Despite al-Sharaa’s jihadist background, Rubio argued that supporting the new government is crucial to preventing wider regional instability.
According to Rubio, Syria has become a “playground for jihadist groups, including ISIS and others.” The country’s transitional authority is facing significant challenges, and Rubio warned that it may be only weeks away from a full-scale collapse. He blamed former President Bashar Assad for the continued violence since 2011, which has led to a prolonged and bloody conflict. The US-backed effort to remove Assad from power has had far-reaching consequences, and Rubio acknowledged that the country is now “splitting up.”
The new Syrian leadership, led by al-Sharaa, has a troubled past. Al-Sharaa, who once led the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), rose to power after deposing Assad last year. Despite this, Rubio believes that the US must engage with the new government to stabilize the region. He argued that a pragmatic foreign policy approach requires flexibility, and that the US human rights agenda may need to be adapted in certain parts of the world.
Lifting sanctions on Syria could allow foreign aid to flow into the country, potentially stabilizing the economy and encouraging millions of displaced Syrians to return. However, the White House remains uncertain about the success of this approach. Rubio stated that engaging with the al-Sharaa government is a risk worth taking, as not doing so would guarantee failure.
The situation in Syria is complex and volatile. Israel has carried out multiple airstrikes in the country in recent months, claiming that the attacks are intended to defend Druze militias from fighters aligned with the new government. Al-Sharaa has pledged to uphold Syria’s ethnic and religious diversity, but his rule has been marked by reported massacres of Alawites, Christians, and Assad supporters.
As the international community watches the developments in Syria with bated breath, one thing is clear: the situation is precarious, and the consequences of inaction could be catastrophic. With the US diplomat’s warning of an imminent civil war, the world is waiting to see how the situation will unfold and what role the international community will play in shaping the future of Syria.
