Rubio Issues Grim Warning on Imminent Civil War in Syria

Amid rising tensions and violent clashes in Syria, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio cautions that the country may be just weeks away from a full-scale civil war. His comments follow President Trump's controversial decision to lift sanctions, which could affect the fragile transitional authorities led by former al-Qaeda commander Ahmed al-Sharaa.

In a stark warning about the deteriorating situation in Syria, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed concern during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing that the country could be on the brink of a total collapse and a "full-scale civil war of epic proportions." This alert comes after more than a hundred deaths were reported in recent sectarian clashes involving Syrian pro-government forces and Druze gunmen.

Rubio defended President Donald Trump's recent decision to lift sanctions on Syria ahead of a meeting with Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda commander who has risen to prominence since the ousting of Bashar al-Assad. The President justified the sanctions relief, arguing that it would enable other countries to provide humanitarian aid without fear of repercussions.

In response to the violence and ongoing fears among minority communities regarding the transitional authorities dominated by Sharaa’s Islamic group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Rubio stated, "the transitional authority... are maybe weeks, not many months, away from potential collapse." His comments shed light on the palpable distrust festering among various groups in the nation, exacerbated by a history of divisive tactics employed by Assad’s regime.

The recent clashes in Syria have highlighted the fragility of peace, with some reports indicating nearly 900 civilian fatalities in March alone, primarily affecting members of the Alawite sect. Rubio’s remarks come in the wake of escalating violence, as the US and EU navigate complex relationships with the Syrian administration in efforts to provide much-needed support and aid.

As discussions around lifting sanctions continue, the Syrian government welcomed the move, claiming it would herald a new era in Syrian-European relations. The EU is aligned in its commitment, with foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas expressing hopes for a "new, inclusive, and peaceful Syria."

The unfolding crisis spotlights Syria's precarious position and emphasizes the urgency of international engagement to foster stability in a nation weary from more than a decade of conflict.