Druze community in Sweida maintains opposition to Syrian central government

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Following the dissolution of the Kurds' 14-year-long autonomous rule in northeastern Syria and the integration of the Syrian Democratic Forces into the national military, Sweida province became the only region resisting central government authority. Druze leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, who had previously coordinated with Kurdish leader Mazloum Abdi toward a decentralized vision for Syria, recently declared the Druze an inseparable part of Israel. This shift in the Druze position followed violent 2025 intercommunal clashes between Druze and Bedouin residents, where government forces were accused of attacking the Druze, resulting in over 1,700 deaths and deep mistrust of Damascus.

Consequences

The collapse of the Kurdish autonomy project effectively ends the viability of a fragmented or decentralized Syria, leaving the Druze in a precarious position as they remain dependent on the central government for essential services like power, water, and salaries. Given this lack of autonomy and geographic isolation, the Druze face increased pressure to reconcile with or continue resisting a government they hold accountable for previous massacres.

Sources

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