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<a class="gmail-domain gmail-reader-domain" href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/druze-leader-sheikh-hikmat-al-hajri-calls-for-end-to-sweida">english.almayadeen.net</a>
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<h1 class="gmail-reader-title">Druze leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri calls for end to Sweida attacks</h1>
<div class="gmail-credits gmail-reader-credits">Al Mayadeen English</div>
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<div class="gmail-reader-estimated-time">July 20, 2025</div>
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<div class="gmail-moz-reader-content gmail-reader-show-element"><div id="gmail-readability-page-1" class="gmail-page"><p>Sheikh
Hikmat al-Hijri calls for an end to the attack on Sweida, urges
ceasefire enforcement, and denounces disinformation targeting Syria\u2019s
Druze community.</p><div><ul id="gmail-content-slick-0"><div aria-hidden="false"><li>
<a href="https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2025/3/18/e1d1987f-0de2-4adc-865e-4f03c0079405.jpg?v=3&width=1000" tabindex="0"><img src="https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2025/3/18/e1d1987f-0de2-4adc-865e-4f03c0079405.jpg?v=3&width=1000&preset=w700" alt="Senior Druze leader in Syria's al-Suweida, Sheikh Hekmat al-Hijri, in an undated photograph" class="gmail-moz-reader-block-img"></a>
Senior Druze leader in Syria's al-Suweida, Sheikh Hekmat al-Hijri, in an undated photograph
</li></div></ul>
<p>Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, the spiritual leader of the <a href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/al-sharaa-declares-protection-of-druze-a-national-priority-f">Druze community in Syria</a>,
issued a strong statement on Sunday demanding an immediate end to the
ongoing attack on Sweida province. The Sheikh\u2019s message, widely regarded
as a vital moral stance amid the escalating crisis, emphasized unity
and resistance to sectarian incitement.</p>
<p>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."</p>
<p>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.</p>
<h2>Condemnation of disinformation and sectarian strife</h2>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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\u2019s 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.</p>
<p>Al-Hijri's statement underscores <a href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/syrian-ministry-denies-reports-of-security-deployment-in-swe">growing demands for international accountability</a>
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."</p>
<p>His statement came after Syria's presidential office <a href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/syrian-army-begins-withdrawal-from-sweida-after-ceasefire-de">declared a full and immediate ceasefire in Sweida</a>
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."</p></div></div></div>
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