Druze leader renews call for international protection in Syria’s Suwayda
SUWAYDA, Syria (North Press) – Spiritual leader of the Druze community in Syria, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajri, declared on Monday its firm rejection of the General Security forces’ entry into the Suwayda Governorate, southern Syria, renewing its call for immediate international protection amid continued military escalation between armed factions.
In a statement posted on its official Facebook page, the Spiritual Leadership reaffirmed its earlier positions, “We reiterate all points stated in our previous declarations, particularly our urgent call for international protection, given the gravity of the current situation.”
The statement criticized the entry of government-affiliated forces into Suwayda’s administrative borders the previous night, allegedly under the pretext of providing protection.
“These forces did not act as protectors,” the statement said, “but instead bombed our people in the border villages and provided support to extremist gangs using heavy weapons and drones.”
The Spiritual Leadership asserted it would hold accountable anyone involved in attacks on Suwayda or in facilitating the entry of General Security forces into the region.
The statement concluded with a renewed demand, “We stress once again the necessity of immediate international protection for our region and our people.”