Syria’s Druze chief calls for international support for Sweida's independence

The spiritual leader of Syria’s Druze community, Hikmat al-Hijri, on Monday urged the international community to support the creation of a separate region in the Sweida Governorate, citing threats to the Druze population.

In a video circulated on social media, al-Hajri said, “We ask the world and the free countries to stand by the Druze community to declare a separate region to protect us. Our journey has begun under a new title after the recent ordeal that aimed to exterminate the Druze community.”

He also thanked countries that have supported the protection of the Druze, naming the United States and 'Israel' in particular.

Sweida has been the scene of violent clashes since July 13, initially between Druze and Bedouins, which escalated into deadly confrontations involving government forces and tribes. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports that more than 1,600 people have been killed, including a significant number of Druze civilians.

The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) later carried out strikes near the presidential palace and the General Staff headquarters in Damascus, pledging to protect the Druze minority.

- Syria reiterates commitment to territorial unity -

In contrast, Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa emphasized the country’s territorial integrity, dismissing any possibility of division.

“The factors are not available and it is nearly impossible in Syria,” he said during a dialogue session in Idlib Governorate attended by ministers, academics, politicians, and members of professional unions.

Al-Sharaa added, “Anyone demanding the division of Syria is politically ignorant and a dreamer; often these dreamy ideas lead their proponents to self-destruction.” He stressed that efforts to create local cantons or internal divisions are not feasible politically, logically, ethnically, or religiously.