The Situation in al-Suwayda' and the New Syria: A Rijal al-Karama Perspective

To mark the end of 2024, I present an interview with Basim Abu Fakhr, who belongs to the Rijal al-Karama (“Men of Dignity”) movement that is primarily based in the predominantly Druze province of al-Suwayda’ in southern Syria. Rijal al-Karama emerged as the most prominent ‘third-way’ Druze movement in al-Suwayda’ during the war, and maintained neutrality until the very end when it joined with other factions in the province in dismantling the remnants of the regime’s military and security apparatuses. In this interview, we touched on Rijal al-Karama’s role in the events that brought the final collapse of the Assad regime, the group’s current responsibilities in the post-Assad environment, and how Basim views the current trajectory in Syria.

Southern tribal shaykhs meeting with Rijal al-Karama leader Yahya al-Hajjar (Abu Hasan).


Q: What is the role of Rijal al-Karama in preserving security in al-Suwayda’? Did the movement participate in the ‘Joint Operations Room’ from the beginning? Is this room connected with the factions of Deraa?

A: Firstly, a very warm welcome to you, brother Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi, Arab media professional.