Washington warns of imminent collapse of Damascus government

US Secretary of State Mark Rubio warned that the current Damascus government could collapse within weeks, not months, if it does not receive urgent support. He said, "Our clear assessment is that this government, given the current challenges, is approaching the point of collapse, which portends a catastrophic division in the country."

Rubio added, "We want to help this government succeed, because the alternative is all-out civil war and chaos that threatens the stability of the entire region."

The US Secretary of State noted that some figures in the Damascus government have not passed background checks and have complex histories.

In a related development, the US State Department has allowed its diplomats in Turkey, including the US ambassador, to communicate directly with local officials in Syria to determine their aid needs, a move described as a shift in Washington's approach to the Syrian crisis.

The US Secretary of State stated that this decision comes within the framework of the US administration's efforts to support the Damascus government, which is facing challenges that threaten its collapse. He indicated that the US diplomatic mission will temporarily operate from Turkish territory, given the lack of a functioning US embassy in Syria.

Rubio explained that the reason for the delay in opening their embassy in Syria is security concerns.

T/S

ANHA