US Envoy Says Syria and Israel Agree to Ceasefire
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1hon MSN
U.S. envoy doubles down on support for Syria’s government and criticizes Israel’s intervention
In an interview with the Associated Press, Tom Barrack criticized Israel’s recent intervention in Syria, calling it poorly timed and saying it complicated efforts to stabilize the region.
Syria has been wracked by a new wave of deadly sectarian violence that has placed the spotlight on the Druze minority at the center of rising tensions with Israel. Dozens of people were killed this week after clashes between government loyalists and Druze militias in the southern city of Suwayda,
Israel’s intervention “creates another very confusing chapter” and “came at a very bad time,” said U.S. special envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack
Syria should not be allowed back into the international community unless it is able to uphold protections for the Druze and its other minority groups, Israel has said.
Israeli leaders said they launched attacks on Syria this week to protect members of the Druze religious group in the country’s south, amid clashes in the area.
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STORY: Violence in southern Syria has put a spotlight on a small but influential minority, the Druze.:: Who are the Druze?The Druze are Arabs who follow a religion derived from a branch of Islam.They maintain a degree of secrecy about the practice of their faith that emerged in the 11th century.
The United States said it did not support recent Israeli strikes on Syria and had made clear its displeasure, while Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa accused Israel of trying to fracture his country.
Hundreds of Druze from Israel pushed across the border in solidarity with their Syrian cousins they feared were under attack. Many then met relatives they had never seen before.
Defense Minister Israel Katz said southern Syria would remain a demilitarized zone despite Israel allegedly allowing Syrian forces a limited presence in Sweida. Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz told US Senator Ted Cruz on Thursday that he “did not trust”Syrian Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa,
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