Jumblatt confirms withdrawal in Sweida, urges political reconciliation
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Jumblatt confirms Syrian army withdrawal deal in Sweida, urges disarmament, reconciliation with Bedouin, and warns of Israeli provocations.
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Syrian government forces gather at Mazraa village on the outskirts of Sweida city, southern Syria, Tuesday, July 15, 2025. (AP)
Former leader of the Progressive Socialist Party, Walid Jumblatt, confirmed in a call with Al Mayadeen that he was informed of an agreement to withdraw the Syrian Arab Army from entrances to Sweida governorate and to transfer responsibility for local security.
Jumblatt urged the people of Sweida to remain vigilant against Israeli provocations and attempts to incite internal strife. He emphasized that a political solution, guaranteed by the Syrian state, is the only viable path forward.
Jumblatt urges Sheikh al-Hijri to take a stand
He called on Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri to take a “historic stance” and reveal the identities of those who pressured him, arguing that the time has come to put an end to wavering positions.
Jumblatt also acknowledged positive engagement from what he described as "national Arab factions" in Sweida, despite some violations. He advocated for a full reconciliation process with Bedouin tribes, including the handover of weapons and integration into a broader national settlement.
“We support a political solution, disarmament in Sweida, and reconciliation with the Bedouin under the authority of the state,” he stated.
Arslan: Druze facing terror, not a State, in Syria
On another note, the head of the Lebanese Democratic Party, Talal Arslan, stated in a phone call with Al Mayadeen that the Druze community in Syria is "not facing a state, but rather gangs and terrorism," describing the events as "barbaric and brutal massacres" against the Druze in Sweida.
Arslan pointed out that "a major deal is being orchestrated at the regional level," warning of its consequences. He stressed that "the legitimacy granted to [HTS leader] al-Jolani comes at a price, and I believe that price will be in the Golan."
He added that "the facts on the ground confirm a barbaric assault on our people in Sweida, just like what happened previously on the Syrian coast," emphasizing that "the Druze compass has been, and will remain, Arab."
Sheikh Nasreddine al-Gharib condemns violence, warns of sectarian targeting
Meanwhile, Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Nasreddine al-Gharib issued a statement condemning the bloodshed in Sweida, denouncing what he described as crimes against the local population.
Sheikh al-Gharib questioned the absence of the state during the violence and invoked the legacy of Syrian national hero Sultan Pasha al-Atrash in standing against what he called “terrorist agents serving the US and Israel.”
He warned that attacks on mosques, churches, and potentially Druze spiritual sites (khalwats) reflect a systematic attempt to erase Syria's identity and resistance heritage. The sheikh called for a unified national stance to preserve the country’s social fabric and shield Arab minorities from further marginalization.
Appeals for state intervention
Prominent figures, intellectuals, and residents of Sweida province appealed Monday for calm and accountability, urging an immediate end to the spiraling violence that has gripped the region. The signatories stressed their “moral and national responsibility” to prevent further descent into chaos and self-destruction.
Expressing deep concern over the spread of unchecked violence and weapons among various groups, the statement called for a collective moral reckoning. Residents urged all sides to prioritize wisdom over impulsiveness and to return to the framework of the state and the rule of law.
The residents emphasized that the alternative to the authority of the state is lawlessness. They voiced their preference for civil peace and public safety over the presence of unregulated armed groups or unlawful behavior, insisting on safeguarding the city’s social fabric and preventing its neighborhoods from becoming battlefields. “The blood of our sons is more precious than any conflict,” the statement read.
Direct appeal to Damascus
They also called for maintaining the security and unity of the community and protecting the city's neighborhoods from becoming arenas of internal warfare.
The residents of Sweida directed a firm appeal to the Syrian state, urging it to fulfill its constitutional and legal responsibilities in protecting civilians and property. They demanded serious efforts to de-escalate tensions, hold those responsible for destabilization accountable, and restore full state control through support for both civil and security institutions.
