Concerns Over Syria’s Stability
Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed lawmakers on Tuesday that Syria might be on the brink of another civil war or total collapse in just a few weeks.
During his recent trip to the Middle East, Rubio met with prominent Syrian officials and indicated that concerns about the nascent Damascus government prompted President Trump to impose a sudden 180-day exemption on sanctions after discussions with President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia.
“Honestly, given the difficulties they are encountering, the provisional government is likely only weeks away from facing a full-scale civil war or a severe collapse,” Rubio conveyed to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
Rubio remarked that the primary benefit of lifting sanctions would be to support the transitional authority needed to establish governance that can unify military forces.
Yet, he also cautioned that lifting sanctions alone wouldn’t be sufficient to bring stability to Syria. After more than 14 years of civil conflict, he insisted that “we must do something more comprehensive” to help revive the struggling nation.
Alshara played a key role in toppling Assad’s regime last year, which had controlled the region since 1971. The recent meeting between Alshara and Trump was facilitated by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Trump implored Syrian leaders to endorse the Abraham Agreement, which recognizes Israel.
Alshara has a controversial past, having fought against US forces as part of al-Qaeda in Iraq during the early 2000s, and he founded the Nusra Front in 2012.
Tarshi Gabbard, the current director of national intelligence, previously accused Alshara of having extremist ties, stating he once celebrated the 9/11 attacks.
After defeating al-Qaeda leadership in 2016, Alshara attempted to revive his image as a proponent of religious diversity in Syria.
“The bad news is that a person in an interim position failed an FBI background check,” Rubio noted. “If you manage to attract support, it could work. If you don’t, it’s unlikely to succeed.”
Representative Martin Statzman (R-Ind.), who visited Syria last month, remarked on Alshara’s efforts to unify the state and promote inclusivity, including Christians in his cabinet.
“He aims to integrate Syria,” Statzman observed, stressing the rejection of attempts to fragment the country along regional or sectarian lines.
Rubio further warned that if Syria were to collapse again, it could spark chaos in the broader Middle East, recalling how the country became a “playground for jihadist groups like ISIS” following the onset of the Civil War in March 2011.
