In a dramatic reversal, **Hikmat al-Hijri**, the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Sweida, Syria, has declared that the official statement welcoming Syrian government forces and urging disarmament was **forced under pressure from Damascus and foreign powers**.
A **video message posted on the official Druze Religious Council page** showed Sheikh Hijri **disowning the initial statement**, stating that **negotiations with the Syrian regime yielded no results** and that what was announced was a **humiliating declaration meant to impose surrender**.
Hijri said:
> "Despite accepting this imposed agreement, indiscriminate shelling of unarmed civilians has continued. This is not peace—it’s extermination."
He added:
> "To all Druze across the globe: this is a moment of honor. We are facing a full-scale genocide. Stand tall and resist this barbaric campaign using every means possible."
The message comes amid escalating tensions in Sweida, with increasing calls from the community for dignity, self-determination, and resistance to forced government control.
| Keyword | Category |
|---|---|
| Druze Leader | Middle East Politics |
| Hikmat al-Hijri | Syria News |
| Sweida Uprising | Syrian Conflict |
| Druze Community | Minority Rights |
| Syrian Civil War | Conflict Zones |
| Religious Leadership in Syria | Faith and Politics |
| External Pressure on Syria | International Relations |
| Sweida Protests | Activism in Syria |