5 days ago
Syrian President Ahmed Al Sharaa on Suwayda Ceasefire: We Are Grateful to the Bedouin Tribes for Their 'Heroic Actions' against Druze 'Outlaw Groups,' but Maintaining Security Is the Responsibility of
Syrian President Ahmed Al-‑Sharaa called on the Bedouin tribes in the Suwayda area to abide by the ceasefire with the Druze and to heed the Syrian state's orders in a July 19, 2025, address aired on Al‑-Arabiya Network (Saudi Arabia). He thanked the Bedouin tribes who attacked Druze residents of Suwayda for what he called their 'heroic actions,' saying they stepped in for the absent Syrian government forces. Al-‑Sharaa claimed this absence allowed Druze groups to commit human rights violations against Bedouins, which led the Bedouins to retaliate.
He effectively blamed the Druze in Suwayda, which he referred to as 'outlaw groups,' for the attacks against them. Al‑-Sharaa praised the Bedouin tribes as a 'symbol of lofty values and principles' who defend the oppressed. He said their actions were motivated by threats from the Druze but emphasized that, despite understanding these motives, such actions cannot replace the government's role. Only the government, he stressed, must carry out this responsibility.
