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Druze armed factions in the southern Syrian governorate of al-Suwayda announced on August 23 that they had formed the National Guard under the command of the community spiritual leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri.
In a statement, the factions, numbered at least 30, said that the National Guard will be the “official military institution representing the community,” and specified that the unified formation’s goals were to protect the mountain and the Druze identity.
They added that the new unified formation aims to ensure the defense of the Druze identity and the protection of al-Suwayda.
“We renew our pledge to sacrifice our most precious possessions to protect Jabal al-Arab [common name for al-Suwayda] and preserve our Ma’rouf and Tawhid dignity, adhering to these constants until the last drop of blood,” the statement reads.
Last month, Syria’s Islamist-led Interim Government dispatched its military and security forces to al-Suwayda to break up a conflict between Druze factions and local Bedouin gunmen. However, government forces ended up joining the gunmen in a sectarian-motivated, large-scale attack aimed at subduing the Druze.
Israel intervened, citing its historic relations with its own Druze community. The government withdrew, but the Bedouin launched another attack that was rebelled by the Druze on their own. The fighting ended with a ceasefire brokered by the United States. However, the government has since kept the governorate under siege, allowing only limited amounts of supplies to enter.
Druze factions maintain control over al-Suwayda city along with nearly all of its eastern and southern countryside. However, government forces are still holding most of the northern and western countryside of the governorate.
The battle saw major violations by government forces. Out of more than 1,700 reportedly killed, over 550 were Druze civilians executed by troops and Bedouins. Dozens of Druze women were also abducted.
The violations and the siege led to a strong stance against the Syrian government among Druze, with many openly praising the Israeli intervention and calling for the right to self determination during demonstrations in al-Suwayda earlier this month.
The formation of the National Guard appears to be a first step towards a breakaway state in al-Suwayda. Another attack by the government seems unlikely. Despite openly meeting with the Israeli officials in France earlier this week, Israel appears determined to help Syrian Druze, possibly because it sees it as a way to tear down the war-torn country.
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this is good, they must be able to protect themselves from erdoganists/isis/hts inhuman savages. unfortunately israel is still the undisputed power in the region, all except houthis and iran bow before the zionist entity.
there’s a better chance of scottland gaining independence from the united kingdom than those pathetic druze pinworms gaining autonomy from sharaa the headchopper al-jolani while he’s alive and in power.
just another divide and conquer plan by israel!