The ‘National Guard’- the conglomeration of Druze armed factions that still control most of the majority-Druze province of al-Suwayda’ in southern Syria- has recently come into focus again amid a prison break in which the Syrian government forces managed to secure the escape of three detainees being held by the ‘National Guard’. The prison break was reportedly done with the help of certain personnel of the ‘National Guard’, prompting internal investigations and shuffles. While some pro-government pundits and observers exaggerated the events with talk of a supposed internal coup and false rumours of the assassination of Druze spiritual leader Hikmat al-Hijri (who backs the ‘National Guard’ project), there is no doubt that the prison break comes within the context of the government working to undermine the ‘National Guard’ over the long-run, including by promoting disunity, trying to encourage defections, and attrition on the frontlines between its forces and those of the ‘National Guard.’
To discuss the most recent developments, including the prison break, coup claims and allegations by pro-government pundits and analysts, below is an interview I conducted yesterday with Ashraf Jamul, a prominent figure in the ‘National Guard’ I have known from the days before Assad’s fall, when I interviewed him as part of covering the protests in al-Suwayda’ against the regime in 2023. Jamul is firmly behind the ‘National Guard’ project and the notion of separation from Syria. He was also recently named among a list of ‘National Guard’ figures attacked by pro-government Druze figure Sulayman ‘Abd al-Baqi (head of ‘internal security’ for the government in al-Suwayda’ province), who called Ashraf and others ‘students of Kifah al-Mulham’ (who once served as head of military intelligence under the Assad regime) and the right-hand men of the ‘traitor’ Hijri.
The ‘National Guard’- the conglomeration of Druze armed factions that still control most of the majority-Druze province of al-Suwayda’ in southern Syria- has recently come into focus again amid a prison break in which the Syrian government forces managed to secure the escape of three detainees being held by the ‘National Guard’. The prison break was reportedly done with the help of certain personnel of the ‘National Guard’, prompting internal investigations and shuffles. While some pro-government pundits and observers exaggerated the events with talk of a supposed internal coup and false rumours of the assassination of Druze spiritual leader Hikmat al-Hijri (who backs the ‘National Guard’ project), there is no doubt that the prison break comes within the context of the government working to undermine the ‘National Guard’ over the long-run, including by promoting disunity, trying to encourage defections, and attrition on the frontlines between its forces and those of the ‘National Guard.’
To discuss the most recent developments, including the prison break, coup claims and allegations by pro-government pundits and analysts, below is an interview I conducted yesterday with Ashraf Jamul, a prominent figure in the ‘National Guard’ I have known from the days before Assad’s fall, when I interviewed him as part of covering the protests in al-Suwayda’ against the regime in 2023. Jamul is firmly behind the ‘National Guard’ project and the notion of separation from Syria. He was also recently named among a list of ‘National Guard’ figures attacked by pro-government Druze figure Sulayman ‘Abd al-Baqi (head of ‘internal security’ for the government in al-Suwayda’ province), who called Ashraf and others ‘students of Kifah al-Mulham’ (who once served as head of military intelligence under the Assad regime) and the right-hand men of the ‘traitor’ Hijri.
Q: What are the latest developments in al-Suwayda’?
A: Praise be to God, matters are fine. The investigations are ongoing because of the escape of the three prisoners. A new leadership is being formed for the National Guard. Some leaders in the Guard have been detained and are being interrogated. There is a false claim about the existence of a security office of the National Guard, with the claim being that the security office has been dissolved. In fact, there is no security office of the National Guard in the State of Bashan and all the forces are the National Guard in the form of battalions and squadrons.
Q: There was talk about a coup within the National Guard. What is the truth behind this talk?
A: There has been no coup. On the contrary, the National has been organised, and it is the arm of security for the mountain [Suwayda’] and its people. The National Guard has been built with the blood of the mountain’s martyrs and wounded.
Q: From time to time we see reports of clashes on the fighting fronts with the government forces. Are the government forces attacking the National Guard and what are their aims in doing so?
A: They are violating the ceasefire and after they were broken in the Jabal, they have sought to activate any war front in order to regain their position.
Q: What is your response to those who say the National Guard is controlled by officers from Assad’s army who are overseeing captagon production?
A: They are not officers of Assad’s army but rather noble people of the mountain who, throughout the Syrian war, were fighting the Dawa‘esh [Islamic State people], Jabhat al-Nusra and terrorism. They are officers for the homeland and not a president who fled.
As for captagon production, it is coming from areas controlled by the terrorist Syrian interim government, and there are many videos of the National Guard men firing at and bringing down air balloons that cross over from east Deraa countryside that is controlled by the terrorist government.
Q: But what were the reasons for the Jordanian strikes on al-Suwayda’ recently?
A: Outwardly, strikes on positions in which there are only local inhabitants, because of false information and Jordan’s weak intelligence services. Behind this is a conspiracy with the al-Jowlani terrorist government to pressure the Mount Bashan state, and pressure our rights to separation.
Q: Finally what’s your response to the recent attack on you by Sulayman ‘Abd al-Baqi?
A: He is a person who has sold the blood of his people and sold his dignity at the cheapest price. What are we to expect from him? The names mentioned by the apostate terrorist Sulayman ‘Abd al-Baqi are those who, alongside the people and heroes of the mountain, have defended their land and honour and were directing the military operations in the battle. Thus they are a thorn in his eye and the eye of his president al-Jowlani.
Published originally on June 8, 2026.
