Statements by Hikmat al-Hijri, the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Suweida, asserting that the Druze are an integral part of the State of Israel, have triggered sharp criticism and warnings across Syrian political and social circles.
Ahmad Mofaq Zaidan, advisor to the Syrian Presidency, downplayed the significance of al-Hijri’s remarks during an interview with Al Hadath TV on Wednesday, August 26. Zaidan stressed that al-Hijri does not represent the people of Suweida or the Druze community as a whole. He argued that the state’s actions over the past eighteen months define Syria’s present and future, expressing regret that certain factions seek alignment with Israel while noting that prominent local figures in Suweida reject such positions. Zaidan also pointed out that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in eastern Syria had previously reintegrated into the state framework, recognizing that Syria must remain unified.
Al-Hijri had released a video claiming that the Druze form “one family” alongside Israel’s other communities, bound by doctrinal ties and returning to what he described as their historical roots. He praised Israel as a state of institutions, science, and civilization.
The remarks were met with swift pushback from within Suweida. Local resident Fadi al-Atrash wrote on Facebook that the community takes pride in its Arab identity and will not allow anyone to distort its heritage or misrepresent its historical stance. Khaldoun al-Nabwani, a professor of political philosophy, warned that al-Hijri was falling into an Israeli trap, arguing that promises of independence or annexation for Suweida were tied to internal Israeli political maneuvering rather than any long-term strategic commitment.
This is not al-Hijri’s first statement of this nature. In an interview with the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth published on January 13, he called for full independence for Suweida under external guardianship, naming Israel as the guarantor. At the time, al-Hijri claimed Israel had saved the Druze from genocide during the violent events of July 2025, when clashes between Bedouin and Druze groups escalated into state intervention and subsequent Israeli military strikes on government forces.
Suweida continues to witness near-daily security incidents along friction lines between Syrian government forces and the “National Guard” militia loyal to al-Hijri. Both sides accuse the other of fueling instability, while the United Nations warns that separatist rhetoric threatens to undermine Syrian national unity.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
