Hikmat al-Hijri, leader of the Syrian Druze community, rejected any agreement with Syria’s ‘radical’ government post-constitution implementation. Many Druze seek autonomy amidst internal divisions regarding Assad’s ouster and the rise of HTS. Israel positions itself as a protector of the Druze, while Turkey engages in diplomatic talks in Damascus following recent agreements with Kurdish forces, highlighting significant regional dynamics.
Hikmat al-Hijri, the spiritual leader of the Syrian Druze community, has firmly dismissed any potential agreement with what he termed the “radical” Syrian government. These remarks were made after the recent implementation of a transitional constitution, which he and many within the Druze community have criticized, asserting their desire to maintain autonomy from the state.
During a gathering in Suweida, al-Hijri expressed, “There is no understanding or agreement with the existing government in Damascus, which is a radical government in every sense of the word.” He further emphasized that the government is under the scrutiny of international justice, and any leniency concerning this matter is deemed unacceptable by the Druze.
The Men of Dignity movement, a prominent Druze military faction, recently reached an agreement to place its security forces under the authority of the interior ministry, thereby permitting the central government to appoint a governor for Suweida province. This development reflects the division within the Druze community regarding responses to the ousting of President Assad and the rise of the disbanded Islamist group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
While some Druze leaders have engaged with the interim government, others maintain skepticism towards officials with ties to militant Islamism. Ahmed al-Sharaa, the interim president, is attempting to alleviate concerns about Sunni sectarian governance, assuring that his administration intends to protect minority groups. However, recent sectarian violence on the Syrian coast has heightened apprehensions about government forces.
Israel continues to position itself as a protector of the Druze, promoting separatist sentiments in Suweida, a stance rejected by the majority of the Druze population. Israeli officials have labeled Syria’s new regime as “terrorists” and have called for the fragmentation of the Syrian state, spurring protests and conducting airstrikes in Syria, particularly near the occupied Golan Heights. In a gesture of solidarity, Druze clerics made a pilgrimage to the Golan Heights, marking the first such visit since the establishment of Israel in 1948.
Furthermore, a significant diplomatic development occurred with top Turkish officials visiting Damascus, including Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Defence Minister Yasar Guler. Their visit follows the interim government’s constitutional declaration and a landmark agreement with Kurdish forces to integrate into state structures, signaling a shift in Syria’s political landscape.
This visit by Turkish officials comes shortly after the signing of a temporary constitution aimed at fostering a five-year political transition, emphasizing women’s rights and freedom of expression, in parallel with developments involving Kurdish forces in northern Syria.
Hikmat al-Hijri’s remarks underscore the Druze community’s resistance to the Syrian government’s current structure, reflecting ongoing internal divisions regarding its engagement. The recent agreements between the Men of Dignity movement and the Syrian government indicate complex dynamics at play, exacerbated by sectarian tensions and external influences, particularly from Israel. Additionally, Turkey’s engagement with Syrian officials highlights a strategic shift in regional diplomacy amidst these conflicts, marked by constitutional changes and integration efforts with Kurdish forces. The developments suggest a precarious balance of power within Syria, with the Druze community advocating for autonomy and protection from perceived threats.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
