Although the forces of the Syrian government and pro-government tribal militias have mostly withdrawn from the predominantly Druze province of al-Suwayda’ in the south following intense fighting that killed hundreds of members of the Druze community, there are now widespread complaints within al-Suwayda’ that the Syrian government has imposed a ‘siege’ on the province by restricting the entry of goods and supplies. More broadly, the ‘ceasefire’ has done little to repair the widespread loss of Druze trust in the government. It is the government’s burden to rectify this situation.
To discuss the current situation further, I present an interview I conducted today with the ‘Shaykh al-Karama Forces’ (‘The Shaykh of Dignity Forces’). As a brief reminder, the faction- named for Shaykh Wahid al-Balous (who founded the original Rijal al-Karama and was assassinated in 2015)- originated as a pro-opposition break-off from Rijal al-Karama and was for a time tied to Layth al-Balous’ ‘Dignity Guesthouse’, but it currently declares alignment with Shaykh Hikmat al-Hijri (one of the three most senior Druze spiritual leaders in Syria) and denounces Layth as a ‘traitor’ for his perceived role in welcoming government forces into the province that committed extensive violations.
Q: Firstly, what was the role of the Shaykh al-Karama Forces in the recent fighting, and what was the number of martyrs? And what do you think of the words of those who attribute the cause of the fighting to the positions of Shaykh Hikmat al-Hijri?
A: First, good morning and thanks for your question. To begin, we call for God’s mercy on the lives of the martyrs of truth in al-Suwayda’ province who passed away on the province’s land, defending their lives, brethren and land. All the people of al-Suwayda’ province were surprised on 13 July by a barbaric Salafi attack carried out by extremist armed groups, killing and harming the civilians on a sectarian and religious basis. It was the obligation of any person living in the province or group working on the province’s ground to defend it by all means we had and all available means.
“Autonomous administration or separation is the sole solution that has remained before us.”
The attack took place on a number of fronts from the province’s north and western fronts. And the armed men did not distinguish between child, armed person, elderly person, or woman. The homes of every village that these groups entered in the province was robbed, plundered and burned. They also plundered water wells and then took them out of service. They killed any Druze, Christian or other person who passed by them, doing so in an ethno-sectarian way.
The path of the Shaykh al-Karama Forces in Jabal al-Arab [al-Suwayda’] is well-known to all: our dignity, honour and land are a red line so we had no choice but to repel the transgressing invaders by all available means. The contingents of the Shaykh al-Karama Forces intervened to repel the attack on more than one front. The forces’ companies lost lives and equipment. The commander Abu Hasan Hussam Sayf was martyred on the front of the locality of al-Mujaymar in a treacherous suicide drone (Shahin) attack. We also lost a martyr on the front of the locality of al-Tha‘ala. We also have a number of injured fighters in the forces’ ranks.
His eminence Shaykh al-Aql Hikmat al-Hijri’s position represents al-Suwayda’ in general and was not the reason for the fighting. For constructive and national dialogue was our demand to realise our rights, but monopolisation of decision-making by the ruling authorities and the sending of convoys of terrorists and extremists to our city [of al-Suwayda’] is what brought us here. For we are the owners of this land: either we live peacefully here or die here.
Q: What is the Shaykh al-Karama Forces’ position on the idea of establishing an autonomous administration area in al-Suwayda’ or a Druze state? Likewise how do you assess the Israeli role in helping the Druze in al-Suwayda’?
A: The Shaykh al-Karama Forces’ position on an autonomous administration area: regrettably, after all means of reaching an agreement with the ruling authorities that claim to be patriotic have been cut off, and after the grievous violations committed against the minorities and our people in Jabal al-Arab, it has become impossible to remain under a centralised state run by a government of one colour that prevents the minorities from participating in it. All means of trust in this ruling group have been torn apart and it is impossible to repair what has been broken. Autonomous administration or separation is the sole solution that has remained before us.
We appreciate any effort or role from any state to protect al-Suwayda’ from the grievous violations committed by the extremist groups: the so-called Public Security. We also appreciate the Israeli role in protecting the minorities from violations and extermination at the hands f these groups. Regrettably, the world stood watching our slaughter before its eyes and only the Israelis extended the helping hand to us.
We would also like to note that the Shaykh al-Karama Forces have no contact or coordination or support from any external party until now. Our weapons are from our own money and they are for defending our dignity and people.
We would also like to note with regards to your question: al-Suwayda’ has a Druze majority but also has inhabitants from our Christian and Sunni brothers who tested the woes we tasted in this terrorist attack. They did not leave al-Suwayda’ but rather remained among their people.
We previously did not aspire to establish a Druze state or the likes of it, for we are Syrian patriots, but after what the events led to and after the terrorism of ethnic cleansing against the sect that we witnessed, centralised rule under this authority has become among the things impossible for us. So we will resist and defend ourselves to the last breath.
We hope that through your free platform, our voice will reach our brothers in beloved Iraq and all the states of the world: the city of al-Suwayda’ is a complete disaster zone. A humanitarian crossing must be opened for it and the remnants of the ruling authority’s forces must leave its land. For they are now destroying the villages’ homes that they deemed fair game, and they are robbing them and even taking the iron from the remnants of the home that they destroy.
“Regrettably, the world stood watching our slaughter before its eyes and only the Israelis extended the helping hand to us.”
Q: Before these events, what were the problems in reaching an agreement with the central government? For example there was an agreement between the central government and the religious authorities to activate the police and law enforcement. What prevented the reaching of a final agreement? For example it has been claimed that Shaykh Hikmat al-Hijri wanted to guarantee secularism and decentralisation in the constitution and that this prevented the reaching of an agreement. Is this true?
A: The disagreement began after the sectarian massacres on the coast, which made clear to all the extremism of most of the groups that joined the so-called Ministry of Defence. Then came the announcement of an unjust constitution, monopolising decision-making and of one colour. The new constitution prevents the minorities from participating in the state and gives the interim president very big powers that enable him to monopolise everything. Many obstacles faced us to reach a mutual understanding with the ruling authorities. Initially we only heard pompous talk and speeches that would make us feel optimistic for a state we had long dreamed of. But regrettably they did not take long to show their true face in extremism and their desire to turn the land into an Islamic caliphate. And their speeches had no meaning on the ground. We also all saw the Salafi attacks on the Syrian coast and the killing of innocents, and then in Jaramana, Sahnaya and Ashrafiyat Sahnaya in Damascus countryside, and finally in al-Suwayda’. Mercy be upon our martyrs and swift recovery for our wounded and injured. We also thank you for contacting us, dear brother.
Q: But one last question if possible. In conclusion, if the central government wants to win the trust of the people of al-Suwayda’ again, what is required of it?
A: For the largest slice of people here and us, the way of trust in this government has become impossible. We no longer trust them after all that has happened, especially after the great media campaigns and distortion of facts on social media and the accusation that we are traitors after the Israelis intervened to protect us from ethnic cleansing. The solution under this authority has become impossible. On our page, more than 200 people have been writing: “We have come to slaughter you, oh Druze, oh pigs.” How can it be possible for our fate to be slaughter in their slaughter-houses just because we are from another sect? A centralised state no longer has a solution except to kill us all. Very regrettably, dear brother, the Israelis were more merciful to us than the people of our land and partners of the homeland. We are honoured, dear brother, and we thank you and hope you understand our bitterness or any harsh words, but regrettably this was the reality. Had it not been for the recent Israeli intervention, the number of martyrs would have been in the tens of thousands.
Published originally on August 2, 2025.
