Lebanese Druze leader: "Israel will not protect anyone" PHOTO/VIDEO

A fragile ceasefire declared on July 15 in Syria’s southern Suwayda province is under strain as clashes persist and political rifts deepen within the Druze community. Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt issued a stark warning to factions in the area, stating that “Israel will not protect anyone,” while urging restraint and unity.

The ceasefire, announced by Syrian Defence Minister Muhraf Abu Qasra after consultations with local dignitaries and religious leaders, was intended to end days of violence between government forces and local armed groups. Military police have since been deployed to Suwayda city to oversee security and address public outrage over reported misconduct by troops, Caliber.Az reports via Levant 24. 

Ahmad al-Dalati, head of Suwayda’s internal security, justified the intervention as necessary to curb lawlessness. 

“A new era begins today,” he said, pledging that the province would be brought fully under state authority.

However, the ceasefire’s legitimacy has been challenged by key figures within the Druze religious leadership. Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, a prominent cleric, rejected the truce in a video address, accusing the Syrian government of betrayal and calling on residents to resist “repression and humiliation.”

The split among Druze leaders reflects broader uncertainty over Suwayda’s political future. While some elders endorse cooperation with Damascus, others view the government’s actions as coercive and illegitimate.

Jumblatt, while welcoming the ceasefire, warned that continued infighting and foreign entanglements only deepen Syria’s fragmentation.

“This unrest serves those who seek to destabilise Syria,” he said, urging armed groups to disarm and Damascus to pursue inclusive political reconciliation.

International reactions have been cautiously supportive. Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Qatar all expressed backing for Syria’s sovereignty and praised the ceasefire. Riyadh also condemned recent Israeli airstrikes near Suwayda, calling them violations of international law. Türkiye echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing restraint and dialogue.

Tom Barrack, the US special envoy to Syria, said Washington is in contact with local and regional actors to prevent further escalation. He noted that any resolution must take into account the needs of Damascus, the Druze community, and local Arab tribes, while also addressing Israeli security concerns.

Fadel Abdulghani of the Syrian Network for Human Rights highlighted the deeper causes of unrest, pointing to Syria’s failure to implement inclusive governance.

“This is not just a security crisis,” he said. “Exclusion breeds instability.”

Despite the declared ceasefire, sporadic violence continues, underscoring the fragile nature of peace in a region shaped by complex grievances, power struggles, and foreign influence.

By Sabina Mammadli