The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates announced that a roadmap has been reached to resolve the crisis in Suwayda (southern Syria), following a trilateral meeting in Damascus between Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, and US Special Envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack.

The meeting, held on Tuesday, September 16, built on previous discussions in Amman on July 19 and August 12, aimed at consolidating the ceasefire in Suwayda and addressing the tensions that have rocked the province in recent months.

Core Principles

According to the Foreign Ministry’s statement published on Facebook, the roadmap affirms that Suwayda is an integral part of Syria and its people are equal citizens in rights and duties. It emphasized that bridging the trust gap between the government and residents requires gradual steps to rebuild confidence and fully reintegrate the province into state institutions.

The three parties pledged joint work to ensure Syria’s stability, unity, and sovereignty, and to support a “comprehensive, Syrian-led political process” that includes all components of society and reflects social pluralism. They stressed combating terrorism and extremism and ending social divisions.

Immediate Steps

The roadmap outlined urgent measures, including:

• Inviting the Syrian government to allow the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry to investigate the events in Suwayda and hold perpetrators accountable under Syrian law.

• Continuing the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid to the province in cooperation with the UN, ensuring restoration of basic services with Jordanian and American support.

• Deploying qualified police forces along the Suwayda–Damascus road to secure civilian and commercial traffic, while withdrawing civilian fighters from the province’s borders and replacing them with regular troops.

• Supporting Red Cross efforts to release all detainees and abductees and complete exchange operations.

• Jordan, in coordination with the Syrian government, will invite delegations from Suwayda’s local communities (Druze, Christians, and Sunnis), along with representatives of Bedouin tribes, to hold meetings aimed at reconciliation.

• Announcing reconstruction plans for damaged villages and properties, with Jordanian and American assistance to secure necessary funding.

The roadmap also calls for strengthening a “national narrative” based on unity and equality, and criminalizing hate speech and sectarianism through new legislation, with legal backing from Washington and Amman.

Security and Administrative Arrangements

The plan includes steps to establish a local police force composed of all Suwayda’s communities, led by a local figure appointed by the Interior Ministry. A provincial council representing various components will be formed to liaise with the government and lead reconciliation efforts.

It also stressed completing the release of all detainees and missing persons, compiling and identifying the missing, managing aid delivery, and agreeing on a reconciliation roadmap between the government and local communities.

The statement underscored the need to end external interference in Suwayda, reaffirming that the province is an inseparable part of Syria.

It further urged facilitating access to evidence supporting the work of the Commission of Inquiry, including bodies, witness testimonies, and surveillance cameras from conflict areas, and cooperating with both the Syrian government and the UN Commission to ensure accountability.

The statement added that the US will work with the Syrian government to reach security understandings with Israel regarding southern Syria, addressing “the legitimate security concerns of both sides” while preserving Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, with Jordan’s support.

The three parties agreed to establish a joint mechanism to monitor the roadmap’s implementation, in full respect of Syrian sovereignty.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry concluded by stressing that this path reflects the “shared will” of Damascus, Amman, and Washington to move forward in addressing the Suwayda crisis and stabilizing southern Syria based on national unity and citizens’ rights.

Promoting Reconciliation and Stability

At a joint press conference, al-Shibani said the roadmap “guarantees rights, supports justice, strengthens community reconciliation, and paves the way for healing wounds,” according to the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).

Jordan’s Foreign Minister Safadi said his country wants Syria to achieve stability, recovery, and reconstruction after years of destruction and suffering, and to “take practical steps toward a bright future for all Syrians.”

He described the Suwayda events as “tragic and must be overcome,” stressing the need for accountability and humanitarian aid delivery.

Safadi added that the security of southern Syria is tied to Jordan’s own security, condemning Israeli attacks on Syrian territory and calling for their cessation. He said Israel is the only party that wants Syria divided because it “does not want it to stabilize,” affirming Jordan’s rejection of partition as a shared Arab and international position.

“A stable Syria,” he added, “is a guarantee for the security and stability of the region.”

US envoy Barrack expressed Washington’s commitment to assisting the Syrian government and supporting its efforts to achieve security and stability.

He said, “We worked with Syria and Jordan to reach a roadmap on Suwayda,” adding that the Syrian government had taken “practical steps to ensure civil peace.”

From Barrack’s perspective, stability in Syria comes through “cooperation and coordination among citizens, achieved by building trust, hope, and tolerance.”

Suwayda Events

The Suwayda crisis began on July 12 with mutual kidnappings between residents of the al-Maqous neighborhood, largely Bedouin, and members of the Druze community. The following day, the situation escalated into armed clashes.

On July 14, the Syrian government intervened to end the conflict, but its actions included violations against Druze civilians, prompting retaliation by local factions, including those that had previously cooperated with the Ministries of Defense and Interior.

On July 16, government forces withdrew from Suwayda after being hit by Israeli strikes, which were followed by violations and reprisals against Bedouin residents of the province. This triggered the mobilization of armed convoys described as “tribal reinforcements” in their defense.

Shortly afterward, the Syrian government and Israel reached a US-brokered agreement to halt military operations.

Syrian–Jordanian–American Working Group to Consolidate the Suwayda Agreement