There's reasons why that cessation of hostilities agreement didn't work, which is part of what we're all trying to solve,’ Tom Barrack says - Anadolu Ajansı

Aoun has vowed to maintain a state monopoly on arms — a veiled threat against the extensively armed Iran-backed terror group Hezbollah, which emerged weakened militarily and politically after a 13-month war with Israel that ended with a November 27 ceasefire agreement.

Hundreds of people have been killed in days of violence in southern Syria which began with clashes between members of the Druze minority group and Bedouin tribes and drew a military intervention from Syria.

One day after reaching a ceasefire with Israel, Syrian military forces began moving into the country's Suwayda Governorate, where dozens of people have been killed in recent days amid fighting between warring tribes.

Violence in Syria's Druze province has triggered Israeli military action, complicating relations with Turkey and creating a power vacuum that Iran could exploit.

The United States said it did not support recent Israeli strikes on Syria and had made clear its displeasure, while Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa accused Israel of trying to fracture his country.

Hundreds of Druze from Israel pushed across the border in solidarity with their Syrian cousins they feared were under attack. Many then met relatives never seen before.