A new actor in Syria: Druze demand federation from HTS

The Druze living in Syria have issued a statement addressing Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the group that emerged from the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Al-Nusra Front and has seized control in parts of Syria. With this statement, the Druze expressed their opposition to HTS leader Jolani. 

The Druze living in the As-Suwayda region, located on the Syria-Jordan border, stated in the declaration: "Cooperating with figures like Jolani, who are linked to terrorism and extremism, jeopardizes our national stance and legitimate struggle.” 

The statement noted that individuals close to Jolani have spent 500 thousand dollars in the region to alter the political stance of the public, adding that this situation is being monitored with great concern.

According to the report by Rudaw, the statement, which includes a demand for federalism, used the following expressions regarding HTS: 

“Undermining the gains of the people of As-Suwayda and Jabal al-Druze: The federalism project we are calling for is part of a struggle conducted to secure the rights of all Syrians, and it is not a tool to serve the interests of foreign powers or to reimpose a centralized, oppressive administration.

Weakening our national stance: Cooperating with figures like Al-Jolani, who are linked to terrorism and extremism, jeopardizes our national stance and legitimate struggle.

Dragging As-Suwayda into suspicious conflicts: These steps aim to make As-Suwayda a tool for regional and international agendas, which will not serve our interests and will turn our region into a conflict zone at the expense of our national rights and expectations.”

“We, as the children and grandchildren of Sultan Basha al-Atrash in As-Suwayda and Jabal al-Druze, do not accept any agreement with Al-Jolani or other extremist forces, and we view these movements as a betrayal of our national expectations,” the statement concluded with the following remarks:

“We will not allow our region to become a sphere of influence for terrorist groups or a platform for the reimposition of oppressive central administrations. Our legitimate rights will only be protected through a fair constitution and a national project that secures the rights of all parties. Jabal al-Druze will continue to be a fortress of honor and freedom, and it will never sell its legacy and history in exchange for false promises or suspicious money.”

Meanwhile, an HTS delegation traveled to As-Suwayda to meet with Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, the spiritual leader of the Druze community.