A tripartite meeting in Amman on Tuesday brought together Syria and Jordan’s foreign ministers with the US Syria envoy to address recent developments and reconstruction efforts in Syria, where violence in the Druze-majority Suwayda region has badly shaken the interim government of President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
The Syrian government said in its readout of the meeting between Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and US special envoy Tom Barrack that the sides had agreed to form a Syrian-Jordanian-American working group mandated “to support the Syrian government's efforts to consolidate the ceasefire in the Suwayda Governorate and work to find a comprehensive solution to the crisis.” The Syrian government's "efforts in the humanitarian field" were also welcomed, especially "with regard to restoring basic services, holding perpetrators of violations accountable and creating conditions for the return of displaced persons to their homes.”
There was no mention of Druze participation in the talks, though media reports suggested that Druze spiritual leaders had been invited to take part.
The violent clashes in Suwayda that erupted in July between Sunni Bedouin tribes and the Druze majority in the southern region have cast further doubt over Sharaa’s ability to govern and unite his war-wracked nation since he and his allies overthrew President Bashar al-Assad last December. Footage showing government troops perpetrating atrocities against Druze civilians has further dented his image.
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