DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) – A prominent leader from Syria's Druze community, Sheikh Hikmat Al-Hijri, has called for an international investigation into the deadly clashes that occurred last month in southern Syria, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of individuals. The clashes primarily took place in Sweida province, a region known for its significant Druze population.
The unrest erupted in July when Druze militias engaged in confrontations with local Sunni Muslim Bedouin tribes. In response to the escalating conflict, government forces intervened, ostensibly aiming to restore order. However, reports indicate that these forces seemingly sided with the Bedouins against the Druze community. Al-Hijri’s remarks come in the wake of these intense confrontations, further complicating the already volatile situation in the region.
An unexpected turn in the conflict transpired when Israel conducted military strikes in defense of the Druze community. These strikes included targeted air raids on government fighter convoys and even an attack on the Syrian Defense Ministry headquarters situated in central Damascus. The Druze are considered a loyal minority in Israel, with many serving in the Israeli military, which may have motivated Israel's intervention to protect them from what Al-Hijri characterized as a "humanitarian intervention" to curb further violence against the Druze.
In a televised speech, Al-Hijri expressed gratitude toward U.S. President Donald Trump and the governments of Israel and Gulf Arab nations for their assistance in mitigating the violence during the clashes. He emphasized the need for an independent international investigation into the events, advocating that those responsible for the violence should be held accountable at the International Criminal Court (ICC). Furthermore, he called for the establishment of international observer missions to safeguard civilians in the conflict-ridden area.
Al-Hijri's plea for peace and protection came during a conference attended by representatives from various ethnic and religious groups in Syria. This assembly, held in Hassakeh—a city in northeastern Syria controlled by the Kurdish-led and U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)—discussed the necessity of forming a decentralized state and creating a new constitution that upholds religious, cultural, and ethnic diversity within the country.
The Syrian government denounced the conference, suggesting that it included individuals with separatist intentions. As a repercussion, government officials announced that they no longer plan to participate in anticipated talks with the SDF that had been tentatively arranged in Paris following an agreement reached in late July. Until now, a specific date for the slated Paris talks had not been established.
The state-run news agency SANA reported that an anonymous government source claimed the conference violated a prior agreement with the SDF made in March. These developments indicate a further deterioration in relations between the Syrian government and Kurdish groups, highlighting the complexities and fragility of the political landscape in Syria.
