Druze leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri calls for end to Sweida attacks
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Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri calls for an end to the attack on Sweida, urges ceasefire enforcement, and denounces disinformation targeting Syria’s Druze community.
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Senior Druze leader in Syria's al-Suweida, Sheikh Hekmat al-Hijri, in an undated photograph
Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Syria, issued a strong statement on Sunday demanding an immediate end to the ongoing attack on Sweida province. The Sheikh’s message, widely regarded as a vital moral stance amid the escalating crisis, emphasized unity and resistance to sectarian incitement.
Calling the assault on Sweida a "brutal attack," Sheikh al-Hijri appealed for peace and de-escalation, rejecting any attempts to fuel discord or violence among Syrians. He stressed that the people of Sweida hold no animosity based on religion or ethnicity and that any effort to ignite such divisions "represents nothing but shame and disgrace."
In his statement, Sheikh al-Hijri welcomed the delivery of humanitarian aid to Sweida through international agencies and expressed deep appreciation for the genuine efforts to save lives and alleviate the suffering of civilians amid worsening conditions.
Condemnation of disinformation and sectarian strife
The Druze leader also condemned media disinformation campaigns and the spread of malicious rumors aimed at destabilizing the province. He urged Syrians to resist the narratives that promote hatred and disunity, reaffirming the social and moral fabric of the Druze community.
In a related statement issued Saturday, al-Hijri called on guarantor states of the ceasefire agreement to uphold their commitments and impose international protection for Syria’s Druze population. He described the failure to implement the ceasefire as "regrettable and shameful," noting that "attacking gangs continue to commit shameful crimes" despite pledges to end the violence.
Al-Hijri's statement underscores growing demands for international accountability and protection of vulnerable communities amid the ongoing conflict, as he said that it was "deeply disappointing and disgraceful that the other party has not honored the ceasefire, while the attacking militias persist in carrying out appalling crimes."
His statement came after Syria's presidential office declared a full and immediate ceasefire in Sweida on Saturday, as security forces started deploying to multiple locations to "enforce the truce, preserve public order, protect civilians and their property, and reinforce de-escalation efforts."
