• The US has stated it did not support recent Israeli military strikes on Syria.
• Israeli airstrikes targeted Damascus and Sweida, citing Druze protection.
• Syria's interim president condemned Israeli actions and promised to defend the Druze minority.
• The situation remains tense with ongoing conflicts between Druze and Bedouin groups.
• US officials are engaging diplomatically with both Israel and Syria for de-escalation.

The United States has expressed its opposition to Israel's recent military strikes in Syria, particularly in Damascus and Sweida, which targeted Syrian government forces. This stance was reiterated by State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, who emphasized that the US did not support these actions and is actively engaged in diplomatic discussions with both countries to mitigate the crisis and work toward a lasting agreement, according to Channel News Asia and Dawn.

On the ground, Israeli airstrikes reportedly targeted areas of Damascus and the city of Sweida, justified by claims of protecting the Druze community amidst growing tensions following communal clashes. These strikes came despite a newly brokered ceasefire agreement aimed at restoring stability in the region, highlighting the volatile situation as violence continued on the periphery, according to TRT Global and Channel News Asia.

Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria’s interim president, vocally condemned Israel's actions, accusing it of attempting to destabilize Syria and promising to protect the Druze minority. In light of external threats, he declared that Syria would not allow any exploitation of its communities by foreign entities. This protective stance aligns with broader regional concerns regarding Israeli interventions, advocated by leaders such as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as well, according to Channel News Asia and TRT Global.

However, the escalation of violence has not waned, with reports of fresh clashes between Druze fighters and Bedouin tribes occurring after the Syrian military's withdrawal under pressure from Israeli strikes and diplomatic negotiations. The Syrian state media reported ongoing violence, including field executions and deaths, exacerbating the humanitarian situation as the US continues to monitor the developments, according to Dawn and TRT Global.