The city of Suwayda (southern Syria) witnessed security tensions after the “National Guard,” affiliated with Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Suwayda, attempted to evict some citizens occupying church-owned properties in the city.

The “National Guard” announced in a statement today, Monday, 1 June, that it had arrested two people accused of obstructing the work of one of its forces during the implementation of a judicial order to evacuate some properties belonging to the church endowment in Suwayda.

Meanwhile, the Suwayda 24 network said clashes took place between battalions of the “National Guard” over the case, after an attempt to force a citizen to vacate a commercial shop belonging to church properties.

Enab Baladi’s correspondent confirmed the reports of clashes and disputes that took place in Suwayda city over the issue of “church properties.”

Two Arrested Over the Case

The “National Guard” said one of its patrols headed out on Sunday evening to implement the content of the judicial order, after the deadline granted to the operating party expired without any response.

It explained that a number of people tried to obstruct the work of the force and hinder the implementation of the judicial order, which required the arrest of two people. They were handed over to the Military Police to prepare the necessary report and conduct initial investigations, ahead of referring them to the competent judiciary.

All the institutions mentioned are affiliated with Hikmat al-Hijri’s authority in Suwayda, while the Syrian government controls only limited areas of the governorate’s countryside following the security events that the governorate witnessed in July 2025.

The “National Guard” affirmed that the rule of law is above everyone, and that judicial rulings will be implemented against every violator without exception, “in commitment to the responsibility placed on the institution to preserve order and protect rights,” according to its statement.

It called on residents to fully cooperate with the competent authorities and to prevent attempts to spread malicious rumors or fish in troubled waters, given their direct impact on the security and stability of the mountain, as it described.

Disputes Between “National Guard” Battalions

Suwayda 24 said the Qanawat Road area in Suwayda witnessed security tension between the “Rapid Intervention” Battalion, led by Rawad Abdul Khaleq, and the “Fursan Hamza” Battalion, led by Yamen al-Saghir, both affiliated with the “National Guard.”

The network said the events began when a group affiliated with Rawad Abdul Khaleq’s battalion tried to assault a citizen named Amer Obeid to force him to vacate a commercial shop belonging to church properties.

It added that the situation quickly developed into a confrontation after a group of members from the “Fursan Hamza” Battalion headed to the deployment site of Rawad Abdul Khaleq’s battalion on Qanawat Road, leading to a fistfight between the two sides.

Rawad Abdul Khaleq’s battalion also tried to assault a girl who attempted to film the events, prompting a member of the “Fursan Hamza” Battalion to intervene. He was then assaulted by members of Rawad Abdul Khaleq’s battalion.

Suwayda 24 quoted local sources as saying that members of the “Fursan Hamza” Battalion managed to seize the weapons of some members of the other side during the clash. The incident was followed by an exchange of threats between the two sides.

Security incidents are increasing in Suwayda, according to what Enab Baladi has documented in previous reports. Most are linked to the uncontrolled spread of weapons and rivalry among local factions, most of which operate under Hikmat al-Hijri’s authority.

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