The arrests carried out by the so-called “national guard” in Syria in the Sweida province on Saturday was aimed at thwarting a “coup” against the policies of Druze leader Hikmat al-Hijri, informed Druze sources told Asharq Al-Awsat.
Ten people were arrested for allegedly plotting to form a “parallel movement” to Hijri’s own, fueling fears of the eruption of sectarian strife between the Druze themselves, they added.
The “national guard” claimed that it had thwarted a “security breach” planned by people coordinating with the Damascus government, adding that the suspects have been detained.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat on condition of anonymity, local sources said the “national guard” arrested on Saturday individuals who were trying to recruit others to stage a “coup” against Hijri and the guard.
Tensions have already been high in Sweida due to security unrest in recent months.
The detainees have been identified as cleric Sheikh Raed al-Matni, Assem Abou Fakher, Ghandi Abou Fakher, Maher Falhout, Hussam Zeidan, Zeidan Zeidan and Alameddine Zeidan.
Video released by the “national guard” showed Matni being insulted by them with his moustache and beard being shaved, sparking outrage among the community.
The local sources condemned the “national guard’s” actions, saying the Matni and Abou Fakher are renowned Druze families and warning against violent reprisals that may lead to strife.
Meanwhile, the “national guard” said it had uncovered “a heinous plot and major betrayal” involving so-called “agents” who were working in coordination with the Syrian government and foreign parties.
In a statement, it added that the “conspiracy” sought to achieve a “dangerous internal security breach that would pave the way for an attack against our community and territory.”
A “swift and accurate” operation was carried out to detain the “traitors and conspirators,” it stated.
In July, Sweida was the scene of clashes between armed Druze groups on the one hand, and Bedouin and Syrian security forces on the other. Israel intervened militarily allegedly to protect the Druze.
Hijri, one of Syria’s three most senior Druze leaders, has upped his criticism of the Damascus government. He has frequently expressed his gratitude to Israel for supporting the Druze in Syria and has repeatedly called for Sweida’s cession.
His followers have gone so far as to brandish Israeli flags and images of its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Sweida.
The tensions in the province come in stark contrast to the unprecedented openness by the international community towards Damascus’ new rulers as they seek to rebuild the country and end its international isolation after 13 years of civil war that ended with the ouster of Bashar al-Assad's regime on December 8, 2024.
The local Druze sources questioned Hijri’s continued insistence on his position despite developments that have demonstrated that his dreams of cession are headed nowhere given the rising opposition to it.
Even Israel’s Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif has distanced himself from Hijri, they remarked.
