• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warns that Syria is weeks away from a potential full-scale civil war.
• The unrest follows violent attacks on minority groups, exacerbated by a resurgence of the Islamic State.
• President Trump recently lifted sanctions, facilitating international support for Syria’s transitional leadership.
• European Union countries have agreed to lift economic sanctions, marking a new chapter in Syrian-European relations.
• Rubio emphasizes the need for regional support to stabilize Syria amid ongoing tensions with Iran and militant groups.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expressed grave concerns over Syria's stability, stating that the country could be "weeks away from potential collapse and a full-scale civil war of epic proportions." His remarks come in light of escalating violence, including recent sectarian clashes that reportedly resulted in over 100 fatalities among the Druze minority and increased activities from extremist groups like the Islamic State in areas outside the control of the transitional government, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, former guerrilla leader and now transitional president, who was previously on the U.S. wanted list due to jihadist links. Rubio emphasized that given the profound challenges the new leadership faces, the situation is dire, remarking, "basically the country is splitting up," according to BBC, The Jakarta Post, and South China Morning Post.

Following a series of violent attacks on Alawite and Druze communities, Rubio has called for greater international support for Syria’s transitional authorities, particularly as President Trump announced the lifting of sanctions during a recent visit to Saudi Arabia. This move, intended to facilitate international aid and investment in Syria, is welcomed by the transitional leadership, which hopes it will alleviate suffering and contribute to regional stability. Rubio noted that while this engagement might yield positive results, the past actions of the transitional authority raise concerns, quipping, "the transitional authority figures... didn't pass their background check with the FBI," highlighting the uncertainty surrounding their governance, according to BBC, The Jakarta Post, and South China Morning Post.

In a parallel development, the European Union has moved to lift its sanctions on Syria, a decision backed by its foreign ministers, intending to foster rebuilding efforts in the war-torn nation. EU officials stated this would unfreeze central bank assets and allow Syrian banks to reintegrate into the global financial system, while individual sanctions related to stirring ethnic tensions would remain in place. The Syrian foreign ministry praised this decision, suggesting it signals a new chapter in relations with Europe, as it opens the door for international investments. This significant shift in policy aligns with regional interests aiming to secure a stable and peaceful Syria, according to BBC, The Jakarta Post, and South China Morning Post.

Rubio highlighted that the lifting of sanctions was largely driven by a need for regional stakeholders, like Turkey and Saudi Arabia, who have pushed for immediate aid to reach the Syrian population. He pointed out that historical fears surrounding sanctions had hindered much-needed assistance and reiterated the importance of providing support to avoid a resurgence of conflict within the region. As discussions continue around the fate of Assad-era sanctions, Rubio confirmed that there might be temporary waivers, although he emphasized that Syria's classification as a state sponsor of terrorism complicates matters for businesses looking to invest, according to BBC, The Jakarta Post, and South China Morning Post.