Druze Spiritual Leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri Urges Ceasefire Compliance. Red Cross Sounds Alarm on Suwayda Crisis

SUWAYDA, SYRIA — Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, a major spiritual leader of Syria’s Druze community, has called on Druze factions to undertake an orderly withdrawal from recently captured positions and return to the previously established lines of contact, as stipulated under the ceasefire agreement.  

This appeal follows heightened tensions in Suwayda province in southern Syria, where Druze factions have made battlefield gains against Syrian government-affiliated General Security forces. 

In a statement issued on Sunday, Sheikh al-Hijri emphasized that his call aims to “protect lives” and prevent the collapse of the truce. He simultaneously stressed the need to reinforce defensive positions in full coordination with the province’s military operations command to deter potential violations by other parties. 

The statement comes in the wake of reports that Druze factions seized the village of Tel Hadid in southern Suwayda’s countryside and advanced toward the al-Ma’mal area following the withdrawal of units of the General Security Forces from those positions. 

Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), reports Hawar News Agency, issued a warning about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Suwayda.  

During a recent field visit to the province, Stefan Sakalian, head of the ICRC mission in Syria, remarked that the humanitarian aid delivered thus far “fails to meet even the most basic needs, leaving countless families in a state of profound vulnerability.” The region continues to face acute shortages of food, clean water, and essential medical supplies. 

Sakalian noted that residents are demanding more than just relief, including the restoration of essential services such as electricity and the assurance of security and stability. He underscored that “rebuilding trust among all parties is an urgent necessity.”