Tensions continue to rise in the Middle East following Israeli airstrikes in Syria and tonight, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is weighing in, calling the attack on a Syrian military command center “likely a misunderstanding.”
The remarks came during a high-level meeting in the Oval Office earlier today between President Donald Trump and Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. In a brief exchange with reporters, Rubio addressed the incident, which has sparked new concerns over sectarian violence and regional stability.
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: “It’s complicated,” Rubio said. “These are historic, deeply rooted rivalries in southwest Syria, and what we’re seeing is an unfortunate situation — it looks like a misunderstanding between Israeli and Syrian forces.”
Rubio noted that the recent violence appears to be tied to escalating clashes between two local factions: the Druze, a religious minority with monotheistic roots, and Bedouin tribal groups. The conflict spiraled this week after a Druze man was reportedly attacked at a Bedouin checkpoint in Sweida province — sparking a wave of retaliatory violence.
Reports say Israeli warplanes struck Damascus, damaging the Syrian Defense Ministry’s headquarters, killing at least three people and wounding dozens more. According to sources, Israel acted to protect the Druze population near the Golan Heights, an area claimed by Syria but annexed by Israel in 1981.
The Syrian government, however, is under scrutiny after disturbing images and testimonies emerged allegedly showing its forces burning Druze homes, looting property, and publicly humiliating Druze men. One particularly shocking detail: some were reportedly forced to shave their mustaches as a form of punishment and degradation.
Rubio told reporters he has been in communication with both Israeli and Syrian sides in hopes of de-escalating the conflict. He emphasized that the U.S. remains committed to helping Syria rebuild after the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime last December and to promoting minority rights in the wake of increased aggression against the Druze.
The region remains volatile, especially after the December takeover by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham a militant group whose terrorist designation was recently removed by the Trump administration.
As the death toll rises, with some estimates ranging between 30 and 90 people killed this week, Secretary Rubio says he hopes real progress toward de-escalation can be made within hours. The Biden administration, he added, remains focused on restoring peace and ensuring Syria becomes, in his words, “a beacon of hope in the Middle East.”
We will continue to monitor developments in Syria and bring you updates as they come in.
Reporting by Carl Montel.
