Report says Damascus, Druze leaders hold talks on Suwayda status
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Negotiations are taking place between the Syrian government and Druze leaders in Suwayda province under US mediation, aiming to reduce tensions in southern Syria, according to a report published Tuesday by the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation.
The broadcaster stated that the discussions focus on granting broad administrative and security authorities to local actors in Suwayda in exchange for some Druze parties abandoning demands related to self-rule or separatist tendencies, while keeping the province under the sovereignty of the central government in Damascus.
According to the Israeli broadcaster, Damascus is relying on support from the US administration led by President Donald Trump to encourage the parties toward an understanding that would maintain Suwayda within the framework of the Syrian state and reduce the likelihood of regional friction in the south.
In the same context, the outlet cited an informed Syrian security source as saying that “the Syrian authorities are seeking to open dialogue channels with representatives of the Druze community in order to reduce the influence of religious and political figures who refuse to recognize the legitimacy of the current rule.” The source specifically mentioned Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, described as one of the most prominent religious authorities within Syria’s Druze community.
The source added that a proposal under discussion includes deploying internal security bodies inside the governorate without introducing regular military forces, a measure intended to avoid renewed field escalation.