US Syria envoy calls for restraint in Druze-majority Sweida province

Tom Barrack, the United States envoy to Syria, called for restraint in the Druze-majority province of Sweida on Saturday. This follows the departure of a prominent figure from the region due to tensions with supporters of a pro-Israeli Druze leader. Sweida city and other parts of the province are currently under control of local armed groups, who remain outside the power of Syria's new authorities. The new authorities are striving to extend their rule across the entire country.

One of these armed groups is the National Guard, which is affiliated with Druze leader Hikmat al-Hijri. Hijri is a vocal critic of the new authorities and recently accused his community of being "an integral part of the state of Israel." According to Syrian state television, outlaw groups in Sweida kidnapped and forced prominent local figure Atef Hunaidi to leave his home after he released a statement condemning Hijri's remarks. Hunaidi later arrived in Damascus.

Barrack stated that "where governance is absent, gangs fill the void, and today a very few with toxic motives are turning on their own." He said his team was in contact with Hunaidi and others caught in this campaign of intracommunal violence. Barrack urged for restraint in action and earnest communication in a statement, which did not name Hijri. He said his team was in contact with Hunaidi and others caught in this campaign of intracommunal violence.

The roadmap for peace in Sweida, signed last year, is the path to the dignified reintegration of the province into Syria, with full rights and obligations of citizenship for its Druze community. This is the only path that leads anywhere but back to grief.