Rubio: We’re very concerned about Israeli strikes in Syria

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, asked about Israeli strikes on Syria on Wednesday, said the United States was concerned, adding that he had just spoken to the relevant parties over the phone.

“We’re going to be working on that issue as we speak. I just got off the phone with the relevant parties. We’re very concerned about it, and hopefully we’ll have some updates later today. But we’re very concerned about it,” Rubio said, adding that the US wants fighting to stop as clashes between Syrian government troops and local Druze fighters broke out hours after a ceasefire agreement.

Axios on Wednesday reported, citing a senior US official, that US President Donald Trump’s administration asked Israel again on Wednesday to halt strikes on Syria and engage in dialogue with the government in Damascus.

Axios did not say whether that request came before or after Israeli strikes on Wednesday on Syria’s military headquarters and near the presidential palace in Damascus.