A few hours after the announcement of an agreement between the Druze spiritual leadership and Damascus, which is under the control of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), prominent Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Hikmat Al-Hijri denied the claims. In a video message, Al-Hijri stated that the initial declaration was prepared under pressure from foreign powers and was imposed on them.
The initial statement, issued by the Druze spiritual leadership, welcomed the entry of forces affiliated with the Interior and Defense Ministries, operating under HTS authority, into Suwayda. It also called on armed groups in the city to lay down their weapons and urged continued dialogue with the Syrian government.
However, in his video statement, Sheikh Hikmat Al-Hijri made the following remarks:
“Despite numerous negotiations with Damascus, no result was reached, and no sincerity was shown. The recently published declaration, in all its details, was imposed on us under pressure from Damascus and foreign countries to make us spill the blood of our sons.”
Al-Hijri stated that the declaration was forced upon them in a humiliating manner. He also said that, despite this, the Damascus administration did not keep its promises. He emphasized that the bombings continue to target civilians and accused the Syrian government of waging a “comprehensive war of destruction.”
Al-Hijri also directed a message to all Syrians and said, “O Syrians of all sects, today we must either all be Syrians and reject humiliation and insult, or we will expose ourselves and our children to this humiliation for decades to come.” He further appealed to “honorable people from everywhere and every country” and called for support.
Wave of displacement in the city
According to local sources, a large wave of civilian displacement took place after elements affiliated with HTS entered Suwayda and deployed across the city streets. Due to growing concerns over a worsening humanitarian crisis, many families were forced to flee to surrounding areas.
How did the Suwayda events begin?
The southern Syrian province of Suwayda has witnessed a wave of violent incidents that began with a looting incident on the Damascus–Suwayda highway and escalated into clashes between Bedouin groups and armed Druze factions around the governorate building.
As the fighting intensified, and some armed factions failed to intervene in the clashes between Druze groups and Bedouin tribes, the violence spread to the outskirts of Suwayda city.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that government forces controlled by HTS began entering the city following the outbreak of clashes in the city’s outskirts during the night between Monday and Tuesday. The Observatory noted that the advance was accompanied by artillery shelling and rocket attacks targeting residential areas.
Since the early morning of Sunday, July 13, the number of people killed in ongoing armed clashes and mutual bombardments has risen to 102. Among the dead are 61 people from Suwayda (including two children and two women), 18 from the Bedouin community, 16 soldiers affiliated with the Ministry of Defense, and 7 unidentified individuals wearing military uniforms. In addition, many others, including children, have been injured.
Source: ANF News
