Pedersen: Suwayda Is Not Like the Syrian Coast — Loyalty to the State Cannot Be Imposed by Force

ARK News.. The UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, stated that the recent escalation in Suwayda is fundamentally different in nature from events in Syria’s coastal regions.

In an interview with Al-Majalla, Pedersen explained that while the clashes in the coastal areas appeared to be initiated by remnants of the Assad regime against General Security forces, the escalation in Suwayda "could have been avoided if all parties had acted differently."

Pedersen welcomed the ceasefire in southern Syria, and called for "a genuine and inclusive dialogue between authorities in Damascus and local actors in Suwayda to reach lasting security and administrative arrangements that preserve state institutions while enabling the people of Suwayda to play a central role in governing their own affairs."

He emphasized that applying the principle of sovereignty rigidly, without recognizing the specific nature of the transitional phase, is a flawed approach. “Loyalty to the state cannot be enforced through military power. It develops when citizens feel represented, protected, and treated equally by their government,” Pedersen said.

He also stressed that ensuring stability in both Suwayda and northeastern Syria must be a top priority for the authorities in Damascus, adding that true security and stability are inseparable from a successful political transition — the two cannot be treated as unrelated issues.

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