Druze spiritual leader urges separate region to protect Syrian Druze
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Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri calls out to the international community to support a proposed separate state to protect Syria's Druze population following the Sweida clashes that occurred in mid-July.
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The spiritual leader of the Druze Muslim community in Syria, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, Sweida, November 26, 2024 (AFP)
The spiritual leader of Syria's Druze community, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, called on "the international community and free nations" to stand by Syria's Druze in declaring, per his words, "a separate region to protect us."
Sheikh al-Hijri's remarks followed the announcement of the formation of a local military force in Sweida, dubbed the "National Guard," stressing that this force will "defend the land with the guarantees of nations concerned."
He pointed out that "our journey has begun with a new title following the recent ordeal, which was intended to exterminate the Druze community in Syria," referring to the clashes that took place in Sweida Governorate last July through this month.
It's worth noting that Sheikh al-Hijri, following the fall of the former Syrian regime, had taken a cautious stance toward the new authorities in Damascus.
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The Druze spiritual leader emphasised the necessity of forming a participatory government, adopting a civilian constitution, and establishing a national army. He also proposed the option of adopting a decentralised system in the country, making these demands conditional on the cooperation of the ruling Ahmad Al-Sharaa administration.
Sweida ceasefire on thin ice
The United Nations' Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, briefed the Security Council on August 21 that the Sweida ceasefire "agreed on 19 July has come under strain, but, so far, has prevented a slide back into open conflict… That said, we are still seeing dangerous hostilities and skirmishes on the margins of Sweida, and violence could resume at any moment."
Pedersen added that "the absence of stronger commitments and mutual trust continues to undermine the ceasefire’s stability."
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