Syrian Druze Leader Declares Community 'Part of Israel' Amid Unrest

Amid rising tensions between Syrian authorities and the Druze community, Sheikh al-Aql Hikmat al-Hijri, one of the top spiritual leaders of Syria’s Druze minority, has declared that the Druze people are “an integral part of the State of Israel.” The statement comes as the Suwayda Governorate in southern Syria faces ongoing instability and limited government control.

Hikmat al-Hijri, a prominent Druze figure based in Suwayda, has long advocated for special status for the region, suggesting it could be placed under international oversight or even transferred to another state. His recent remarks reflect a growing divide between local Druze factions and the central Syrian government. Although Israel shares cultural and religious ties with Syrian Druze, notably in the occupied Golan Heights, it does not share a border with Suwayda. Despite this, Israeli officials have occasionally cited support for Syrian Druze as one justification for military actions in Syria over the years.

The Suwayda Governorate, home to a majority Druze population, has experienced escalating violence since mid-2025. Large-scale attacks have resulted in numerous civilian casualties, particularly among Druze and Bedouin communities. The unrest has left the Syrian government with only partial control over the region, with various armed factions operating outside state authority. This fragmentation has disrupted daily life, including education—Druze students attempting to take national exams, which must be administered in government-held areas, have faced obstacles when trying to travel through militia-controlled zones.

Over the weekend, two Druze militia leaders were wounded in clashes within Suwayda, while two civilians were killed in a shelling incident on the outskirts of Suwayda City. Local sources attributed the attack to government-controlled forces, though further details remain unconfirmed. Such incidents underscore the fragile security situation and the challenges facing both civilians and authorities in the region.

The evolving dynamics in Suwayda reflect broader tensions in Syria, where sectarian divisions and competing armed groups continue to shape the conflict landscape. While Hikmat al-Hijri’s declaration may signal shifting alliances or political aspirations within the Druze community, it also highlights the complex interplay between local identities and national sovereignty in a war-torn region.

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