Hikmat al-Hijri—one of the three most senior Druze spiritual leaders in Syria (mashayakh al-‘aql)—had already launched an appeal yesterday for Druze mobilisation in response to violations by Syrian government forces despite the initial statement ‘welcoming’ the entry of those forces (which he portrayed as ‘humiliating’ and the result of pressure). However, the tone of the appeal issued today via his Facebook page marks a more hardline tone towards the government and a more explicit iteration of his previous calls for ‘international protection’ for the Druze community, even going so far as to address Israel’s prime minister in the appeal for help.
The tone of Hijri’s appeal issued today via his Facebook page marks a more hardline tone towards the government and a more explicit iteration of his previous calls for ‘international protection’ for the Druze community.
Although Hijri’s positions do not reflect the entirety of the Druze community in al-Suwayda’, one of the issues regarding a final resolution for the status of al-Suwayda’ province is that consensus is required among all three mashaykh al-‘aql. At this point, either the government essentially imposes its control by force over the province (a prospect that still seems more likely than not in my view, given that the government does possess the advantage in manpower and firepower, and it is also suggested by the tone of this appeal) or the government incurs losses that are too high and thus makes a concession to revert to the prior status quo in which external security and military forces leave the province and stay out. The prospect of the latter will be made more likely if there is greater Israeli intervention in the form of more intense airstrikes in particular.
Below is the statement translated.
We call on the free world and all the active forces therein, and we direct our call to his eminence President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, and his majesty King Abdullah II, and all who possess a force and influence in this world…save al-Suwayda’.
For our people are being exterminated and being killed in cold blood, with the killer not distinguishing between young or old, woman or child, doctor or shaykh, and they are destroying churches and houses of worship. These are massacres being committed before the world’s eyes, and the silence continues to kill. We call on the international community to bear its humanitarian and ethical responsibilities to stop these systematic and organised massacres.
Our call to you is not political, but humanitarian and ethical, before it’s too late. Save a people being killed for merely having demanded life and dignity.
The mask has fallen from the face of this oppressive, tyrannical ruling gang. We also call on our Sunni people to take a clear stance towards what is happening to their Syrian brothers. We have never been enemies or adversaries, and we are no longer able to live with a regime that only knows how to rule by iron and fire, and only knows how to exert authority through force and inflicting harm.
Our call to you is not political, but humanitarian and ethical, before it’s too late. Save a people being killed for merely having demanded life and dignity.
Published originally on July 16, 2025.
