Aswar Ahmed/
The statements made by Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajri, the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Syria, have sparked a storm of controversy after he called for international support to declare a separate region in Suwayda following violent clashes that resulted in over 1,600 deaths, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Al-Hajri claimed that the Druze community faces a “danger of extermination” and urged the international community and “free” countries to support the Druze in declaring an independent region, thanking the United States and Israel for their support. This call came after clashes began on July 13 between Druze militants and Bedouin fighters, which escalated with the intervention of government forces and tribal militants.
Syrian journalist Abdullah Zaid explained in a statement to “Express TV” that this call represents “a betrayal of the Syrian geography,” emphasizing that separation serves, above all, the interests of Israel and the United States. He noted that the fall of the south into the hands of external forces would mean “the realization of the Greater Israel project,” and that any secessionist proposal would lead to catastrophic consequences for the people of Suwayda. Zaid warned that division would ignite internal conflicts among the community members themselves, along with disputes with the new Syrian state, which have already begun to manifest in bloody confrontations between tribes and Druzes. He also pointed out that seeking protection from Israel is “a slap in the face of the Syrian government” and opens the door to military interventions that could worsen the situation. He stressed that the risks extend beyond political dimensions and affect daily life, potentially cutting off supplies of bread, medicine, and electricity, turning Suwayda into a besieged area living in severe isolation. He affirmed that the solution lies in “containing the chaos, holding those involved in crimes accountable, asserting state authority, and rejecting sectarian rhetoric,” while promoting dialogue and coexistence among different components.
Meanwhile, journalist Khalid Al-Jadou highlighted in a statement to “Express TV” that “the unity of Syria, land and people, is not a political option but a national necessity,” noting that the majority of Syrians, including those from Suwayda, reject any divisive proposals. He warned that these calls “pose a real threat to civil peace and open the door to projects that serve only regional and international powers.”
For her part, Syrian journalist Alaa Hassan affirmed in a statement to “Express TV” that Syrians have long rejected division as a danger to the unity of the country, but she questioned the alternatives amidst ongoing killing and persecution. She said: “If there is a path, no matter how difficult it seems, that guarantees an end to the bloodshed and preserves human dignity, should we not consider it seriously?” She emphasized that the shared goal should be “a safe and stable Syria where the people can live in peace.”
Amid this divergence between calls for secession and the firm rejection of such sentiments by most Syrian voices, Suwayda remains at the heart of a sensitive confrontation, where local calculations intertwine with external interventions, complicating the ongoing Syrian crisis that has lasted for over 13 years.
On the international level, the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, renewed the emphasis on respecting Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity during his meeting on Saturday with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shabani in Damascus, where they discussed recent developments in Suwayda province, the humanitarian situation, and the need to create suitable conditions for the return of refugees. The meeting also reviewed the overall security situation in the country and the issue of establishing the People’s Assembly, within the framework of a series of previous meetings Pedersen had with Syrian officials since May and June.
In the context of enhancing bilateral relations, Al-Shabani also met with the Chinese ambassador to Syria, Shi Hongwei, and the two sides discussed ways to develop cooperation, with the Chinese ambassador affirming his country’s commitment to supporting Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, including Suwayda province, and rejecting any attempts at division or secession.
