2025-05-20T20:26:35Z

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In a stark warning that has drawn international attention, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Syria could be just weeks away from experiencing a catastrophic collapse resulting in a 'full-scale civil war of epic proportions.' This alarming statement was made during a hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where Rubio emphasized the need for the international community to support Syria's transitional authorities.

Rubio defended President Donald Trump's recent decision to lift sanctions on Syria prior to a meeting with President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a controversial figure known for his leadership in the rebel movement that successfully overthrew Bashar al-Assad last December. During the hearing, Rubio explained that the rationale behind lifting the sanctions was to facilitate foreign support for Sharaa's administration, as many nations expressed willingness to provide aid but were deterred by the existing sanctions.

The U.S. had initially imposed these sanctions in response to a series of egregious atrocities committed by forces loyal to Assad throughout the brutal and protracted 13-year civil war, which has resulted in over 600,000 deaths and displaced 12 million people. These sanctions were meant to pressure the Syrian government into adherence to international norms regarding human rights, particularly the protection of religious and ethnic minorities.

Despite Sharaa's assurances to uphold the rights of minorities in Syria, recent months have been marred by severe sectarian violence, raising concerns about the stability of his regime. Reports indicate that in March, nearly 900 civilians—predominantly from Assad's Alawite sect—lost their lives due to clashes between pro-government forces and former loyalists in the western coastal region. According to monitoring groups, loyalist forces were responsible for the deaths of approximately 450 civilians and 170 security personnel.

Furthermore, just last month, over 100 individuals were reportedly killed in violent confrontations involving gunmen from the Druze religious minority, newly formed security forces, and allied Sunni Islamist fighters in the suburbs of Damascus and the southern province of Suweida. The situation remains dire, with many minority community members expressing apprehension about the newly established transitional authorities, which are seen as heavily influenced by Sharaa's Sunni Islamist group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). This group, formerly affiliated with al-Qaeda, remains designated as a terrorist organization by the United Nations, the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom.

Interestingly, Sharaa himself is still on the U.S. list of 'specially designated global terrorists.' However, the Biden administration announced in December that it would remove the $10 million bounty previously placed on his head. This shift suggests a significant change in U.S. policy towards Syria, yet many experts remain skeptical about the implications of such changes, particularly given the ongoing violence.

As the humanitarian crisis in Syria escalates, Rubio's warnings highlight the urgent need for the international community to reassess its approach to the region. With the potential for further violence looming, the stakes are high not only for the Syrian people but also for global stability.