On August 23, local factions in Suwayda (southern Syria) announced the formation of the “National Guard” under the leadership of Druze spiritual authority Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri.

The new military formation brings together 30 local factions, with the stated aim of strengthening defense and protecting the region. The announcement was made through a recorded statement published on the council’s official Facebook page.

The statement affirmed the commitment of the military factions to the decisions of the Druze religious leadership, represented by al-Hijri, whom they described as the legitimate representative of the Druze community in Suwayda. It also emphasized the factions’ complete merger into the “National Guard” as the community’s official military body, pledging full commitment to defensive tasks in coordination with supporting forces.

According to the statement, the alliance seeks to safeguard the Druze identity and defend the mountain.

Factions involved

The “National Guard” incorporates 30 local factions, including “Saif al-Haqq Forces,” “al-Fahd Forces,” and “al-Uliya Forces,” among others.

In a Facebook post, Laith al-Balous, representative of the Karama guesthouse, said the people of the province had expected Hikmat al-Hijri, whom many regard as a reference figure, to put forward a unifying stance that could offer solutions and lead the community toward safety.

Al-Balous added that some of these factions were previously known for kidnapping, theft, looting, and extorting women. He cited “Saif al-Haqq Forces” and “al-Fahd Forces” as examples, noting their prior links to former Assad regime officials Ali Mamlouk and Kifah al-Milhem, as well as local commander Raji Falhout, who is accused of drug trafficking.

A replicated model

Al-Balous described the formation of the “National Guard” as a step lacking reason, calling it a replica of the Iranian “Revolutionary Guard.” He also welcomed the stance of the “Men of Dignity Movement,” which initially declined to join the new military formation.

However, the Men of Dignity later issued a statement welcoming the announcement of local factions uniting under an “organized military body,” describing it as a necessary step at a time when the Druze community is defending its existence “against covetous invaders.” The movement also pledged to work for “unity of ranks in this sensitive phase.”

An escalatory move?

The formation comes in the wake of earlier demonstrations that demanded full independence for Suwayda province and rejected any contact or negotiations with Damascus after the bloody events of July.

Protesters called for protection from Israel against Damascus’ forces, which had withdrawn to the administrative borders of the province.

The events began on July 13 with clashes between local factions in Suwayda and armed Bedouin tribesmen, prompting intervention by Defense Ministry forces that led to mutual violations.

Syrian government forces later withdrew under Israeli strikes targeting the Syrian army in the south and headquarters in Damascus. Local factions then carried out further abuses against Bedouin families inside Suwayda, drawing in tribal military reinforcements that engaged in retaliatory violations.

Eventually, a ceasefire agreement was reached between Damascus and Tel Aviv, brokered by the United States with Turkish and Jordanian support.

The Damascus–Suwayda road was cut off, triggering a humanitarian crisis marked by shortages of medicine and food, leaving the province reliant on aid convoys.