U.S. calls for immediate action on violence, human rights abuse in Syria
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – The United States urged on Monday Syria’s Acting Foreign Minister, Asaad al-Shibani, to take decisive steps to halt violent attacks allegedly perpetrated by “armed groups” across the country in recent days.
This appeal underscores growing concerns over escalating violence and its impact on vulnerable minorities.
According to a report by Axios, U.S. envoy Daniel Rubinstein visited Damascus on Dec. 20, meeting with al-Shibani to discuss these alarming developments. Rubinstein voiced the United States’ deep concerns over reports of violence, acts of retaliation, and intimidation targeting minority communities. He emphasized the urgency of ending these attacks immediately.
In response, al-Shibani stated that the transitional administration opposes such acts of violence, asserting that they are primarily committed by other armed groups rather than Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which has a significant presence in the country.
In recent days, videos circulating on social media have allegedly shown armed individuals, reportedly linked to HTS or the security forces of the new government, engaging in violent and abusive behavior.
These include incidents of beating, verbal abuse, and threats against Alawite men during arrests. The footage, while not independently verified by Axios, contains disturbing scenes that have sparked widespread concern.
A U.S. official confirmed that “The State Department is aware of such videos and has been looking into reports of such incidents.”
Meanwhile, clashes in Tartus last week resulted in the deaths of 14 police officers and several militants, as reported by Syria’s Ministry of Interior. These events have further underscored the volatile situation and the urgent need for stability.