The United States confirmed on Thursday that it opposed recent strikes by its ally Israel in Syria, following Washington’s assistance in facilitating a ceasefire agreement aimed at halting violence in the region.
State Department spokesperson Tami Bruce told reporters, “The United States did not endorse the recent Israeli strikes.”
She further mentioned, “We are engaging in diplomatic efforts with both Israel and Syria at the highest levels to address the current crisis and also to work towards a lasting agreement between the two sovereign nations.”
Bruce refrained from commenting on whether the U.S. had expressed discontent to Israel or whether it would oppose future strikes in Syria.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio voiced his concerns when asked about the Israeli attacks, which targeted the General Staff headquarters in Damascus.
He later issued a statement that did not directly address the Israeli strikes, but expressed broader concerns regarding the escalating violence.
In recent days, Israel, which occupies part of the Syrian Golan Heights, reiterated its stance that it would not permit any military presence in southern Syria near its borders.