Syrian Government Secures Integration Agreement with Sweida Province

The Syrian government has reached an agreement with Sweida’s leaders to fully integrate the Druze-majority province into state institutions, where local police will be residents and security forces will align with the Ministry of Interior. Leaders emphasized the importance of national unity and rejected calls for division, amidst rising tensions following Israeli threats.

Recent reports indicate that the Syrian government has successfully negotiated an agreement with the leaders of Sweida, a province predominantly inhabited by Druze, to facilitate its complete integration into state institutions. This development is significant, as Sweida’s local security forces will now fall under the jurisdiction of the Syrian Ministry of Interior, with local police officers mandated to be residents of the province.

The terms of the agreement include the provision for appointing a governor and a police chief by the Syrian government, although these officials do not necessarily have to hail from Sweida itself. In discussions at the People’s Palace in Damascus, President Ahmed al-Shara met with Dr. Mustafa al-Bakour, the provincial governor, and local activists, to deliberate on national and local matters during this pivotal period in Syrian history.

The attendees highlighted the necessity of establishing a nation committed to justice, law, and adequate representation of all Syrian demographics amidst challenging regional and international conditions. Hekmat al-Hajri, the spiritual leader of the Druze community, reaffirmed their dedication to Syria’s unity and rejected any proposals advocating for division, emphasizing their patriotic project.

Al-Hajri expressed, “The unity of Syria, both land and people,” as a principal stance, asserting that discussions on separation or partition are unwelcome and that their goal is to sustain their heritage. The Druze represent approximately 3% of Syria’s total populace and hold significant influence in Sweida.

Tensions have recently escalated following statements from Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz regarding potential consequences for the regime should harm befall the Druze. This was in light of recent incidents in Jaramana, an area with mixed Druze and Christian communities, which prompted a robust response from Druze leaders who reiterated their commitment to Syrian sovereignty. Al-Shara further called for international efforts to compel Israel to withdraw from regions in southern Syria that it has occupied.

The agreement between the Syrian government and the people of Sweida marks a crucial step towards integrating the Druze-majority province into national governance structures. With local security forces to be incorporated into the Ministry of Interior and the reaffirmation of national unity by Druze leadership, this settlement is poised to reinforce the social fabric of Syria amidst ongoing regional tensions. The commitment to unity is further underscored by local leaders’ rejection of any divide-and-conquer strategies proposed externally.

Original Source: www.jordannews.jo