In contrast with the integration of at least parts of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces into the Syrian state, the situation in the primarily Druze province of al-Suwayda’ in the south of the country remains at an impasse with the province’s territory divided between the control of government forces and areas controlled by local armed Druze groups that align with Druze spiritual leader Hikmat al-Hijri or at least outwardly reject the government in Damascus.
For their part, the government and government supporters have cultivated and promoted some Druze figures from al-Suwayda’ who align with the government and vocally oppose al-Hijri’s views but do not reside in the province. The two most familiar figures in this regard are Layth al-Balous (now a member of the new Syrian parliament) and Sulayman ‘Abd al-Baqi (the government-appointed head of ‘internal security’), but there are a few others like the political activist Raid Sadek, who spent some time in Europe before returning to Syria. Recently, it was reported that Raid had been subject to physical attacks and an assassination attempt in the Druze-populated Damascus suburb of Jaramana.
Below is an interview I recently conducted with Raid regarding the situation in al-Suwayda’ and the impasse between the government and much of the local Druze population there, and what he sees as the solution.
Q: The UN says that dialogue on al-Suwayda’ and resolving its issues has reached a dead-end. In your view what are the most important reasons for that?