Syrian Druze Leader Urges Armed Resistance as Government Troops Enter Sweida

 

In southern Syria, a major crisis has emerged as tensions between the Druze minority and the central government flared into violence. The city of Sweida, home to a large Druze population, has become a focal point of the conflict. A leading Druze spiritual figure, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajri, released a video message accusing the government in Damascus of breaking a recent agreement to stop the violence. Al-Hajri alleged that Syrian forces had continued to bombard the city despite the deal and called on Druze fighters to resist the advancing troops by all means available. The new Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa has been attempting to consolidate control across the country since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December. Sweida, however, has remained resistant. Druze leaders had previously declared they did not trust the central government and preferred to secure their own territory using local militias. The spiritual leadership initially issued a statement saying it would allow Syrian troops into the city to restore order and urged armed groups to surrender. However, Al-Hajri later denounced that statement as having been forced upon them by the government, accusing Damascus of launching a “total war of extermination” against the Druze people. This marks one of the most serious challenges yet for Syria’s new leadership as it seeks to reestablish authority over regions that remain fragmented after 14 years of war. The Druze community, which spans Syria, Lebanon and Israel, is now mobilizing defensively against what they see as betrayal and aggression from Damascus.

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The situation in Sweida escalated rapidly as armed clashes broke out between Druze militias and Bedouin groups, leaving dozens dead and displacing thousands. In response to the renewed fighting, Syria’s defence and interior ministries sent military units into the province in an effort to restore order and bring Sweida under central government control. By mid-morning, Syrian army convoys including tanks, trucks and motorcycles had entered parts of the city and were reportedly still firing into residential areas, according to a journalist reporting from the ground. At the same time, Israeli military activity added another layer of complexity. Israeli warplanes were seen flying over Sweida, though no immediate strikes were confirmed. However, Israel’s military did acknowledge carrying out recent airstrikes on Syrian tanks approaching the area, stating the moves were intended to prevent those forces from reaching positions that could pose a threat to Israeli territory. Israel has declared that it will not allow Syria’s reformed army to operate south of Damascus and has pushed for Sweida and nearby regions to remain demilitarized. This growing conflict comes just months after Syria and Israel began direct talks aimed at preventing a wider border war. While some tensions had temporarily eased, the current crisis threatens to undo any progress made in those negotiations. For the Druze community, the events have deepened their distrust in the central government and raised fears of being caught between regional powers and national conflict. With calls to resist and fears of a massacre, Sweida now stands at the center of a volatile mix of religious identity, political ambition and foreign intervention.

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