Hikmat al-Hijri, the Druze leader, has dismissed any collaboration with the Syrian government, labeling it as radical and emphasizing the need for community autonomy. Alarmed by sectarian violence, the Druze community is conflicted about engaging with the interim government. Meanwhile, Turkish officials have visited Damascus to discuss a constitutional transition and integration with Kurdish forces.
The spiritual leader of the Syrian Druze community, Hikmat al-Hijri, has firmly rejected any potential agreement to integrate local entities into Syrian state institutions, criticizing the current interim government as “radical.” His comments were shared via a video by activists, coinciding with the announcement of a new transitional constitution for Syria. Al-Hijri expressed a strong desire for the Druze community to maintain autonomy from the state.
At a gathering in Suweida, al-Hijri stated, “There is no understanding or agreement with the existing government in Damascus, which is a radical government in every sense of the word.” Furthermore, he highlighted the regime’s call for accountability from an international justice perspective, emphasizing that leniency was unacceptable from the Syrian viewpoint.
Recently, the Druze military faction, Men of Dignity, reached an agreement to have its security forces fall under the authority of the interior ministry while allowing the central government to appoint a governor for the Suweida province. The Druze community presents a mixed response to the current political landscape, with some factions engaging with the new authorities while others remain skeptical of officials associated with Islamist origins.
Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa intends to reassure the Druze community regarding the protection of religious and ethnic minorities against sectarian governance. However, recent incidents of government-perpetrated sectarian violence, resulting in numerous civilian casualties, have heightened community apprehensions.
Simultaneously, Israel positions itself as a “protector” to the Druze in Suweida while igniting separatist sentiments, although this is largely rebuffed by the majority within the community. Israeli officials have condemned the Syrian government as “terrorists,” advocating for a subdivision of Syria and instigating protests while executing airstrikes in the region, including near the Golan Heights.
In a related development, top Turkish officials visited Damascus to engage in discussions around the interim government’s constitutional declaration and a newfound agreement with Kurdish forces for integration into state institutions. This visit occurred shortly after a significant constitutional declaration was signed, which outlines a five-year political transition, emphasizing women’s rights and freedom of expression in Syria.
Hikmat al-Hijri’s rebuff of agreement with the Syrian administration illustrates the ongoing tensions surrounding the Druze community’s autonomy and its response to a new interim government. While some Druze factions seek integration with authorities, skepticism prevails amidst fears rooted in sectarian violence and distrust of government ties to radicalism. Concurrently, Turkey’s diplomatic overtures towards Syria suggest evolving political dynamics, particularly concerning the Kurdish agreement and constitutional reforms.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
