US State Department Spokesperson Bruce: We do not support the attacks carried out by Israel

US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce answered questions from journalists at a press briefing held at the State Department.

Providing a briefing on the latest developments and statements regarding Syria during the press conference, State Department Spokesperson Bruce said, "The US condemns the violence clearly and unequivocally. All parties must step back and engage in a meaningful dialogue that will lead to a lasting ceasefire. Ambassador Tom Barrack, who is also the Special Envoy for Syria, said in a tweet this morning, 'We are grateful to all parties for avoiding chaos and uncertainty. We are trying to guide all parties toward a lasting and peaceful solution.' Over the last 48 hours, the US has led diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and promote peace. As Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated yesterday, we have been in contact with all actors involved in the conflicts in Syria and have agreed on specific steps to end this concerning and horrific situation."

Bruce added, "In this regard, we are calling on the Syrian government. The Syrian government must take the lead in defining the roadmap."

"FURTHER INVESTIGATION IS NECESSARY"

When asked at the press conference whether foreign fighters, including ISIS, were involved in the recent events in Syria, Bruce said, "Of course, a comprehensive investigation into the nature of what happened will be required. We have already heard that the President and the Secretary of State are involved in this process, and that our special envoy, who is also our Ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, is involved in this process as well. While what we know at this stage is limited, it is clear that more research needs to be done on how these events started."

"A REFLECTION OF A HISTORICAL FEUD INTO THE PRESENT DAY"

Bruce stated, "However, we know that the ongoing discussions have created a dynamic, that the Syrians have withdrawn, and that Israel is not continuing, meaning it has stopped, the clashes. Of course, some small clashes are still ongoing. This situation is a reflection of a historical feud between the Druze and the Bedouins, which I believe dates back 400 years, into the present day."

"THE SYRIAN GOVERNMENT WILL NEED TO TAKE THE LEAD"

When asked what the situation described as a "misunderstanding" between Israel and Syria was, Bruce said, "As it was conveyed to me and as I believe it is generally understood, this 'misunderstanding' was related to the rekindling of the historical feud between the Druze and the Bedouins and the outbreak of violence. The Syrians entered the region to suppress and stop this violence. The Israelis, however, saw this as a threat to the Druze community but thought the situation was actually a much larger issue than it was. Or perhaps they perceived it as something it was not at all."

Stating that the good news is that the situation has calmed down, Bruce said, "Of course, there are still some small clashes and other problems, and as we have stated, the Syrian government will need to take the lead at this point. Of course, other actors will also contribute, but they are the party that must lead the process of de-escalation and stabilization."

"THE PRESIDENT EXPRESSED HIS DISSATISFACTION CLEARLY"

In response to a question about the US view on Israel's attack, given that the US is working for stability in Syria, Bruce said that the US does not support Israel's recent airstrikes.

Bruce said, "We are in diplomatic contact with Israel and Syria at the highest level, both to address the current crisis and to ensure a lasting agreement between the two sovereign states."

Bruce stated that US President Trump's vision for the Middle East envisions a neighborhood-based peace between Israel and Syria. Bruce added, "The President expressed our dissatisfaction clearly, and we acted quickly to stop the events."

During the press conference, Bruce was also asked about the US approach to the terrorist organization PKK laying down its arms, to which she replied, "We are aware of the images of PKK members burning their weapons at a public ceremony. This shows that they want the public to see that they are truly carrying out this action. This event took place in Northern Iraq last Friday. We view the PKK as a foreign terrorist organization, and therefore we welcome every step toward laying down arms and eliminating this threat. Of course, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) continue to be an important partner in the fight against ISIS, and the time has come for them to move into the integration process."