Hikmat al-Hijari emphasizes severing all ties with Damascus

ARK News.. The spiritual leader of the Druze community in Syria, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijari, said that the Druze of Suwayda consider themselves an integral component of the Israeli state system, viewing Israel as a partner with whom they have formed a clear alliance. He stressed that Israel is the sole guarantor and the only party authorized to oversee any future settlement.

In an interview with Yedioth Ahronoth, published on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, al-Hijari explained that the Druze’s primary demand is full independence, with readiness to accept a transitional phase under the supervision of a neutral guarantor. He noted that Israel was the only state to intervene militarily and halt what he described as “genocide,” adding that Israeli airstrikes “effectively ended the massacre.”

Al-Hijari added that ties between the Druze of Suwayda and Israel are not recent, but date back years before the fall of the regime, and include family and kinship connections, describing the relationship as natural.

He emphasized that Israel represents a model of a state based on institutions and respect for international law—an example the Druze aspire to follow. Al-Hijari stressed that Druze aspirations go beyond self-administration, pointing instead toward the establishment of an independent Druze region with full powers.

He said that what the Druze have endured over recent months—“especially the massacre that occurred last July”—marked a turning point, asserting that the community was targeted solely because of its religious identity, and that what happened constitutes “genocide” against the people of Suwayda.

Al-Hijari noted that the humanitarian situation in the province is extremely dire due to the siege and shortages of food and medicine, as well as restrictions on movement and access to medical treatment outside the area. He added that entire villages were burned, forcing residents to seek shelter in schools and public buildings.

He confirmed that these developments have compelled the Druze to rely on themselves to protect their areas, pointing to the establishment of local forces to defend Suwayda, alongside a clear political push toward an independent Druze entity that would guarantee security and rights.

Al-Hijari expressed disappointment with the Arab stance, contrasting it with what he described as limited international support. He stressed the continuation of coordination with Kurdish forces, asserting that Syria’s future is heading toward forms of self-rule that ensure the protection of minorities and the achievement of stability.

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