Syrian Druze leaders meet with defense minister, Suwayda governor to reaffirm national allegiance

By Laith Al-Jnaidi and Ikram Kouachi

Syrian Druze leaders held separate meetings on Sunday with Defense Minister Marhaf Abu Qasra and Suwayda Governor Mustafa Al-Bakour to reaffirm their national allegiance and reject foreign interference in Syria's internal affairs.

The meetings marked the second consecutive day of talks between Druze leaders and Syrian officials.

According to the state news agency SANA, the Syrian defense minister met with a delegation from the Movement of Men of Dignity, led by Sheikh Laith Al-Balous.

The movement is known for its defense of Syria's sovereignty and for promoting the rights of the Druze community in the country.

The Suwayda governor also met with Druze leader Yousef al-Jarbou at the Ain al-Zaman shrine.

During the meeting, Bakour extended his greetings to the Druze community over last weekend’s Eid al-Fitr, which marked the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

Hikmat al-Hijri, the spiritual leader of Syria's Druze community, emphasized the importance of empowering the country's youth.

"We have confidence in Governor Bakour, who has been a vital link between us and the government," Hijri said.

“What matters today is empowering the youth and providing them with the right opportunities, especially those with high academic qualifications. This is the most promising vision for the future of our country,” he added.

The meetings are seen as a clear message from the Druze community in the southern Suwayda province to the Syrian government and foreign actors that they remain united in their commitment to Syria's territorial integrity and national unity despite external pressures.

The Druze community, which has historically maintained a degree of autonomy in Syria, has been vocal in its opposition to foreign interference, particularly from Israel.

While the Syrian government continues to assert that it protects all sects of the country equally, Israel has repeatedly claimed that the Druze community in Syria is under attack, even suggesting military intervention to protect them.

After the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in December, Israel expanded its occupation of the Syrian Golan Heights by seizing the demilitarized buffer zone, a move that violated a 1974 disengagement agreement with Syria.