Druze Religious Leadership in Suwayda Appeals to Israel, U.S. to Intervene Against Syrian Government
Spiritual leader Hikmat al-Hijri accuses Damascus of atrocities in Suwayda and calls on world powers, including Netanyahu and Trump, to “save the Druze.”
Watan-The spiritual leadership of the Druze community in Suwayda, headed by Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, continued its incitement against the Syrian government on Wednesday, following the regime’s military entry into the center of the southern Syrian city. The leadership issued a public plea for intervention from Israel and the United States.
In an official statement, the religious authority said:“We appeal to the free world and all influential powers, directing our call to His Excellency President Donald Trump, the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu, the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan, and all those with a voice and influence in this world… Save Suwayda.”
This dramatic appeal came a day after Jordan and Saudi Arabia issued statements expressing support for the Syrian government’s efforts to restore order in Suwayda.
The leadership claimed:“The people of Suwayda are being exterminated and killed in cold blood. The killer makes no distinction between young or old, woman or child, doctor or sheikh.”
It called on the international community to fulfill its moral and humanitarian obligations, adding:“We can no longer coexist with a regime that knows nothing but iron and fire, whose rule is based on brutality and oppression.”
Although the spiritual leadership represents the highest religious authority for the Druze in Syria, it’s worth noting that the community is led by three religious figures whose views may differ: Hikmat al-Hijri, Hammoud al-Hinawi, and Youssef Jarboe.
On Tuesday, Youssef Jarboe stated, via the official Syrian news agency SANA, that the people of Suwayda stand with their state and reject any foreign interference.
Background: Sectarian Clashes and Political Unrest
The crisis erupted on Sunday, when heavy clashes broke out in Suwayda between armed Druze and Bedouin groups, following mutual vehicle confiscations, according to local sources.
Most of the casualties were reportedly from armed factions, though civilians were also affected, with over 30 dead and more than 100 injured, according to the latest count published by SANA on Monday evening.
Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in late 2024, forces affiliated with the new Syrian government began deploying across the country. However, a security convoy avoided entering Suwayda at the time to prevent bloodshed, reportedly in response to opposition from Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri.
In the absence of official forces, local residents attempted to secure the province, but were unsuccessful, which forced the Syrian army and Interior Ministry to step in to restore order and end lawlessness.
