US Secretary Rubio Warns Syria Weeks from Civil War, Government Collapse

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned that Syria's transitional government, led by interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, is on the verge of collapse, potentially triggering a full-scale civil war and regional instability. Despite this precarious situation, the U.S. recently lifted longstanding sanctions on Syria, aiming to support the new government and prevent further chaos. Rubio emphasized that sanctions relief alone is insufficient and called for a comprehensive approach from Congress to ensure long-term stability. The new Syrian government emerged after the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, with HTS, a Salafist jihadist group, now in control, raising concerns about sectarian violence and the resurgence of ISIS. Rubio highlighted the strategic importance of engagement, stating that without U.S. involvement, collapse is certain, while engagement offers a chance for success. The U.S. plans to coordinate with regional partners to provide aid and help build governance mechanisms to stabilize Syria and counterterrorism efforts.