[News] Druze leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri calls for end to Sweida attacks

[Anti-Imperialist News]

english.almayadeen.net
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/druze-leader-sheikh-hikmat-al-hajri-calls-for-end-to-sweida>
Druze leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri calls for end to Sweida attacks
Al Mayadeen English
July 20, 2025
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Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri calls for an end to the attack on Sweida, urges
ceasefire enforcement, and denounces disinformation targeting Syria’s Druze
community.

   - [image: Senior Druze leader in Syria's al-Suweida, Sheikh Hekmat
   al-Hijri, in an undated photograph]
   <https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2025/3/18/e1d1987f-0de2-4adc-865e-4f03c0079405.jpg?v=3&width=1000>
   Senior Druze leader in Syria's al-Suweida, Sheikh Hekmat al-Hijri, in an
   undated photograph

Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Syria
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/al-sharaa-declares-protection-of-druze-a-national-priority-f>,
issued a strong statement on Sunday demanding an immediate end to the
ongoing attack on Sweida province. The Sheikh’s message, widely regarded as
a vital moral stance amid the escalating crisis, emphasized unity and
resistance to sectarian incitement.

Calling the assault on Sweida a "brutal attack," Sheikh al-Hijri appealed
for peace and de-escalation, rejecting any attempts to fuel discord or
violence among Syrians. He stressed that the people of Sweida hold no
animosity based on religion or ethnicity and that any effort to ignite such
divisions "represents nothing but shame and disgrace."

In his statement, Sheikh al-Hijri welcomed the delivery of humanitarian aid
to Sweida through international agencies and expressed deep appreciation
for the genuine efforts to save lives and alleviate the suffering of
civilians amid worsening conditions.
Condemnation of disinformation and sectarian strife

The Druze leader also condemned media disinformation campaigns and the
spread of malicious rumors aimed at destabilizing the province. He urged
Syrians to resist the narratives that promote hatred and disunity,
reaffirming the social and moral fabric of the Druze community.

In a related statement issued Saturday, al-Hijri called on guarantor states
of the ceasefire agreement to uphold their commitments and impose
international protection for Syria’s Druze population. He described the
failure to implement the ceasefire as "regrettable and shameful," noting
that "attacking gangs continue to commit shameful crimes" despite pledges
to end the violence.

Al-Hijri's statement underscores growing demands for international
accountability
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/syrian-ministry-denies-reports-of-security-deployment-in-swe>
and protection of vulnerable communities amid the ongoing conflict, as he
said that it was "deeply disappointing and disgraceful that the other party
has not honored the ceasefire, while the attacking militias persist in
carrying out appalling crimes."

His statement came after Syria's presidential office declared a full and
immediate ceasefire in Sweida
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/syrian-army-begins-withdrawal-from-sweida-after-ceasefire-de>
on Saturday, as security forces started deploying to multiple locations to
"enforce the truce, preserve public order, protect civilians and their
property, and reinforce de-escalation efforts."
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