U.S. Secretary of State Rubio Warns Syria Is Weeks from Full-Scale Civil War

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a stark warning on Tuesday, telling lawmakers that Syria could be just weeks away from “full-scale civil war of epic proportions,” as the country’s fragile transitional government teeters on the brink of collapse. Rubio’s remarks came during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, where he emphasized the urgent need for international support to prevent Syria from fracturing further after more than a decade of conflict.

Escalating Crisis in Syria

Rubio’s assessment follows a series of bloody attacks targeting Syria’s Alawite and Druze minorities, highlighting the deep-seated sectarian tensions that have persisted since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad last year. The Islamist-led coalition that toppled Assad’s regime in December 2024 has struggled to maintain order and unity, with the transitional authority now facing profound internal distrust and mounting violence.

Rubio warned that, without robust U.S. and international engagement, the transitional government could collapse within weeks, plunging Syria back into a devastating civil war and potentially splitting the country apart. “If we engage them, it may work out, it may not work out. If we did not engage them, it was guaranteed to not work out,” Rubio told senators, underscoring the stakes of continued diplomatic involvement.

U.S. Policy Shift and International Response

The warning comes on the heels of President Donald Trump’s surprise decision to temporarily lift U.S. sanctions on Syria, following a meeting with Syria’s new transitional president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, in Saudi Arabia. The move is intended to allow neighboring countries to provide aid and support to the fledgling government, but has drawn skepticism from some lawmakers due to Sharaa’s controversial past and the transitional authority’s tenuous grip on power.

European Union foreign ministers have also agreed to relax economic sanctions, signaling a coordinated effort to stabilize Syria and prevent further humanitarian catastrophe.

Regional and Global Implications

Rubio cautioned that renewed civil war in Syria would have dire consequences for the wider Middle East, potentially turning the country into a “playground for jihadist factions like ISIS and others.” He stressed that lifting sanctions alone would not be enough to restore stability, calling for a broader strategy and possible congressional action to support Syria’s recovery after 14 years of war.

Additional Security Concerns

In the same public appearance, Rubio addressed other pressing security issues, including threats to global shipping routes from Houthi militants and a review of visa statuses for individuals involved in recent pro-Hamas protests at Columbia University, signaling a tough stance on national security matters.

Outlook

With Syria’s transitional government facing unprecedented challenges and the threat of renewed violence looming, Rubio’s warning marks a critical juncture for U.S. policy and international efforts in the region. As diplomatic and humanitarian initiatives intensify, the coming weeks are likely to prove decisive for the future of Syria and the stability of the broader Middle East.