Washington( The COW News Digital)In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Syria’s rival factions have agreed to halt ongoing clashes and violence, offering a glimmer of hope amid years of civil strife.
According to Rubio, the United States has established direct communication with all major warring parties in Syria and successfully facilitated a mutually accepted roadmap aimed at reducing tensions.
“Through comprehensive dialogue and coordination with stakeholders on all sides, we have reached a shared understanding on concrete steps to bring an end to active confrontations,” Secretary Rubio said during a press briefing in Washington. “We believe that this will mark a turning point in Syria’s long-standing humanitarian crisis.”
Rubio emphasized that the agreements include immediate ceasefires in key contested areas, the release of certain detainees, and the opening of humanitarian corridors. He urged all involved factions to uphold their commitments in good faith and reiterated the United States’ ongoing support for diplomatic and peaceful solutions in Syria.
Following this announcement, the Syrian government confirmed that it has begun withdrawing its military units from the southern city of Sweida, an area that has recently witnessed intensified violence and mass displacement.
A spokesperson from Damascus said, “The Syrian Arab Army has initiated a phased withdrawal from Sweida as part of broader de-escalation efforts and in recognition of regional diplomatic initiatives.”
Political analysts say this move comes in the context of increasing pressure on the Assad regime following recent Israeli airstrikes near Damascus and renewed U.S. calls for troop withdrawals and reforms.
“Damascus is not just responding to internal pressure from opposition groups but also reacting to external strategic concerns,” said Middle East expert Dr. Lina Khoury. “There’s a growing realization that continued conflict is unsustainable without international backing.”
Observers remain cautiously optimistic about the durability of the ceasefire. Past agreements in Syria have often collapsed due to mistrust, lack of enforcement mechanisms, and interference from foreign powers. However, this latest development has been hailed as a step toward stabilizing one of the region’s most enduring and tragic conflicts.
The coming days will be crucial in determining whether the ceasefire holds and if it can lead to broader peace negotiations under international oversight.
