Druze Leader Calls for Syrian Ceasefire
Jumblatt Urges Dialogue to Resolve Sweida Crisis Amidst Regional Tensions
Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Syria’s southern Sweida province. His plea aims to pave the way for dialogue between local community representatives and the Syrian state to de-escalate the ongoing crisis.
Investigation Demanded for Sweida Events
Jumblatt also advocated for the establishment of an independent committee to investigate recent events in Sweida. He affirmed the province’s status as “an integral part of Syria,” pushing back against any calls for separatism.
These statements were made during an emergency session of the General Assembly of the Druze Almohads Doctrine Council in Beirut. The meeting addressed the repercussions of the deteriorating conditions in Sweida and sought to formulate a unified response.
“I suggest a ceasefire in southern Syria to enter a dialogue between the state and the Sweida activities,”
—Walid Jumblatt
He further demanded accountability for the treatment of individuals in Sweida, including the Bedouin community, stating, “I also called for the formation of an investigation committee regarding what our people were exposed to in Sweida, including our people from the Bedouins.”
Regional Aggression Condemned
Simultaneously, Jumblatt denounced recent Israeli attacks on Syria and its persistent daily aggressions against Lebanon. Last Sunday, violent clashes erupted between Bedouin and Druze factions in Sweida, requiring intervention from the army and security forces to restore order.
Israel reportedly exploited these conditions, escalating its raids across four Syrian governorates, including strikes targeting military headquarters in Damascus. The number of civilian casualties in Syria continues to be a grave concern, with reports indicating over 500,000 deaths since 2011, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) July 1, 2024.
“We must arbitrate the mind before launching positions or condemnations about what is happening in Syria.”
—Walid Jumblatt
Jumblatt specifically rejected calls for Sweida’s secession, reiterating its integral status within Syria. He criticized certain Druze political factions in Sweida whose actions, he believes, exacerbated the current crisis.
Drawing a historical parallel, Jumblatt invoked the legacy of Druze leader Sultan Pasha Al-Atrash, who left Sweida for Jordan in 1954 to prevent Syria from descending into civil war. “Today we miss the likes of these leaders in Sweida,” he lamented.
The Lebanese leader emphasized the need for wisdom and strong leadership reminiscent of past figures to navigate the complex situation in Sweida.