A prominent religious leader in southern Syria has announced that his community’s movement to break away from the central government cannot be stopped, marking a significant escalation in tensions within the war-torn country.
Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, who serves as the spiritual leader of the Druze community in As-Suwayda province, made the announcement during a televised address that featured unusually harsh criticism of Syrian authorities. The religious leader branded Damascus as a “terrorist government” and demanded international action regarding what he termed “violations and crimes” against people living in southern Syria.
Al-Hijri stated that “self-determination” has become a non-negotiable path forward, explaining that the Druze community in As-Suwayda wants to create an independent political and security structure free from Damascus’ control in an area he called “Jabal Bashan.”
“There is no leadership or guardianship over this mountain except by those chosen by its people,” al-Hijri stated, appearing to dismiss any outside political or military influence.
The comments highlight growing friction between local groups in southern Syria and the national government, following years of economic devastation, worsening security situations, and weakened government control throughout various regions.
In perhaps the most striking portion of his address, al-Hijri openly thanked Israel—including both its government and citizens—for what he characterized as assistance with “the Druze cause.” He also mentioned “international allies and guarantors” working to strengthen Druze independence in the area.
These comments represent some of the most politically charged public statements made in Syria in recent years, considering the long history of official antagonism between Syria and Israel and the potential for such declarations to have major regional and political consequences during current Middle East tensions.
The increasing demands for self-governance in As-Suwayda pose a fresh challenge to Syria’s national unity, particularly as the nation continues dealing with security instability and political division more than ten years after the Syrian conflict began. Experts caution that additional self-rule movements could encourage more sectarian and regional division during a period when Syria still confronts major obstacles regarding rebuilding and political stability.
Those backing independent administration in As-Suwayda, though, contend that the action responds to what they view as the Syrian government’s inability to safeguard local populations and deliver essential security and services.
Al-Hijri’s statements arrive during an especially delicate regional period, with Israel-Iran tensions continuing to intensify and local armed groups expanding their power in southern Syria, making any political or security changes in As-Suwayda increasingly significant to regional and international observers.
Although the Syrian government has not yet provided an official reaction to these statements, the address demonstrates broader changes in political sentiment across portions of southern Syria and may signal the start of a new chapter in disputes over governance and Syria’s future governmental structure.
