US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday urged Syrian authorities to curb the infiltration of ISIS and other jihadist groups into Sweida and to prevent further massacres.

“If authorities in Damascus want to preserve any chance of achieving a unified, inclusive and peaceful Syria free of ISIS and of Iranian control they must help end this calamity by using their security forces to prevent ISIS and any other violent jihadists from entering the area and carrying out massacres,” Rubio posted on X. He added, “And they must hold accountable and bring to justice anyone guilty of atrocities including those in their own ranks.”

Stating that the US remained heavily involved over the last three days with Israel, Jordan and authorities in Damascus concerning the developments in southern Syria, he stressed on immediate halt to the clashes between Druze militia and Bedouin groups.