The Military Council in Syria’s Sweida announced on Monday that it is coordinating with the spiritual leader of the Druze, Hikmat al-Hijri, and is advocating for a decentralized secular state. This announcement was made in the council’s first official statement during a military parade held at the Kafr Agricultural Airport in the province's countryside, according to Al-Modon website.
Some reports suggest that the council's leadership is coordinating with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
Meanwhile, a fighter from the Military Council appeared in a video declaring allegiance to Israel, stating, “Today we announce our allegiance to the State of Israel,” and saluted several figures within the occupied Druze villages in the Syrian Golan Heights, including the spiritual leader of the Druze there, Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif.
Council leader Tariq al-Shoufi stated in the announcement that the council is a “national” project, based on collaboration among the local armed forces. This collaboration has enabled the youth of Sweida to avoid involvement in the Syrian conflict, with 40,000 young men abstaining from mandatory military and reserve service.
Shoufi added that the project forms a military core from defected and retired military personnel, who have been part of the Sweida uprising since its inception. He called on all military forces interested to join this “national project,” which is committed to securing rights for all and fulfilling national duties.
Shoufi emphasized that the council “coordinates” with revolutionary political forces, the local community and the spiritual authority represented by Sheikh al-Hijri.
Regarding the council's objectives, Shoufi stated that the project aims to meet the requirements of protecting society, as well as national and regional security. The goal of the project is also to safeguard the southern borders from smuggling gangs, arms and drug trafficking, as well as preventing the infiltration of “extremist terrorist” organizations from the west to the Al-Tanf area in the east. The Al-Tanf area hosts an American base at the Syrian-Iraqi-Jordanian border triangle.
He added that the council is working to create a secure environment to enhance resident stability, encourage investment and protect internal and external transportation lines. He affirmed that the council will be part of the national army of the new Syrian state, “a state of modernity, equal citizenship, human rights, a democratic secular decentralized state, and a state of regional and international justice and peace.”
Israel’s Warning
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had issued a stern warning that Israel will not permit the military forces of the new Syrian government to operate in the region south of Syria’s capital, Damascus. During a military ceremony in Israel on Sunday, Netanyahu called for the “full demilitarization of southern Syria from troops of the new Syrian regime in the Quneitra, Daraa and Sweida provinces.”
Additionally, Netanyahu emphasized that Israel would not tolerate any threats to the Druze community residing in Syria, particularly those in the Golan Heights—a Syrian territory under Israeli occupation—and other areas in southwestern Syria.
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