Special sources have revealed to Al Jazeera that the Syrian government has reached an agreement with the people and leaders of Sweida to fully integrate the province, which is home to a Druze majority, into the state's institutions.
اضافة اعلان
The sources clarified that the agreement stipulates the inclusion of Sweida’s security forces within the Syrian Ministry of Interior, and that local police officers should be residents of the province, located in the south of the country.
The agreement also states that the Syrian government will appoint a governor and a police chief, though they do not necessarily have to be from Sweida.
The Syrian News Agency reported that President Ahmed al-Shara met with the governor of Sweida, Dr. Mustafa al-Bakour, and several local activists at the People's Palace in Damascus.
It was mentioned that the attendees discussed national and local issues, emphasizing the "importance of this historic phase in Syria’s history, during which Syrians seek a country based on justice, law, and fair representation of all segments of the Syrian people, despite the difficult regional and international conditions and the schemes being plotted against Syria's unity, both land and people."
Hekmat al-Hajri, the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Syria, previously emphasized their commitment to the country’s unity and their rejection of any division plans, stressing that their project is purely Syrian and patriotic.
Al-Hajri stated, "The unity of Syria, both land and people," is a steadfast position, affirming that no ideas that go beyond this will be discussed. He added that they do not seek any form of separation or partition, but aim to preserve their roots.
The Druze, whose main stronghold is in the Sweida province, constitute about 3% of Syria’s population.
Recent Israeli statements caused turmoil in Syria, after Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said earlier this month, "If the regime harms the Druze, we will hurt it," following limited clashes in the city of Jaramana, located in the Damascus suburbs, which is home to both Druze and Christian communities.
Druze religious leaders and figures rejected the Israeli statements, reaffirming their commitment to Syria’s unity. This was echoed by al-Shara, who called on the international community to pressure Israel for a "immediate" withdrawal from areas it has entered in southern Syria.
(Al Jazeera Net)
