Statements by Syria's Druze Religious Leaders on the al-Suwayda' Events

Although observers supportive of the Syrian government have continued to frame the recent events in al-Suwayda’ as being driven by Hikmat al-Hijri (one of the three mashaykh al-‘aql: the most senior Druze spiritual leaders in Syria), the reality is that the other two mashaykh al-‘aql- Hamoud al-Hanawi and Yusuf Jerbo, both of whom were more open to engagement with the government prior to these events- have now made clear their position in new statements. These statements illustrate that they are in alignment with Hijri on several basic points, illustrating the degree to which the government has now alienated the wider Druze community in al-Suwayda’: