WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement on escalating violence in Syria:
“I am deeply concerned by the uptick of violence in Syria, including Israel’s decision to launch airstrikes on Damascus and Suwayda. This escalation could undermine and endanger Syria’s stability and derail progress made by Special Envoy Tom Barrack towards achieving normalization between Syria and Israel. Concurrently, Syria’s authorities must commit to peacefully restoring order in Druze areas and pursuing accountability for any security forces who have committed violations in Druze communities. The only way forward is for all sides—Druze, Bedouin tribes, Israeli forces and the Syrian government—to de-escalate immediately. Syria’s authorities need international support to build capacity, professionalize and train their forces and support our shared objectives of eliminating the threat posed by terrorist groups and other nefarious actors in Syria. To that end, we must all aim towards and support the path to a unified Syria that protects the interests of all citizens and can pursue peaceful relations with its neighbors.”
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