Advisor of Jabour tribe emphasizes support for SDF, rejects hate speech

The Syrian arena is witnessing a noticeable escalation in inciting and hateful rhetoric targeting specific regions, which exacerbates the crisis and threatens civil peace. Amid this reality, calls are increasing to reject such practices and to strengthen national unity and peace among all parties.

In this context, Sheikh Akram al-Mahshoush, advisor to al-Jabour Tribal Council, highlighted the role of Arab tribes in promoting peace and their position regarding the March 10 Agreement signed between the General Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces, Mazlum Abdi, and the Interim Government President, Ahmad Al-Shar’, alongside his remarks on the ongoing hate speech and incitement against the region.

Sheikh Akram al-Mahshoush began by saying: “We are going through a difficult time in Syria, a continuation of the crisis since its beginning. Syria is passing through a harsh phase, and the people hope for a better future, but we Syrians see that the situation is worsening. Previously, it was due to the former regime, but now the crisis is deepening.”

tribes confront interventions and uphold their internal decisions

He added: “We see that the political situation has affected the tribes in Syria. We, as tribes in northeast Syria, are on the ground and represent our regions. Those outside this land do not represent our decisions or our will. We hope that discussions and solutions will occur among them internally. We reject the submission of tribes to any authorities’ agendas. What we want is peace and reconciliation between northeast Syria and Damascus because Syrian blood is a loss for all Syrians.”

rejecting Kurdish-Arab sedition and incitement

Al-Mahshoush pointed out the longstanding nature of hate speech and incitement: “These are not new phenomena; the Kurdish-Arab sedition is behind us and has no place in our areas due to strong bonds between us.” He noted that “incitement from within Syria against our regions is widespread and ongoing, unlike what we see within our communities. We have grievances regarding the Syrian authorities’ handling of events in the coastal areas and Suwayda, which disturbs us as Syrians, but we have not incited nor followed hate speech against them.”

Suwayda events and tarnishing the tribes’ Name

Regarding the events in Suwayda, Akram al-Mahshoush stated: “What happened in As-Suwayda is a distortion of the tribes’ name. Tribes have always been a safety source, and their role is not to bear arms but to call for reconciliation. Those who carry weapons cannot play the role of peacemakers. What happened in Suwayda is disgraceful for the tribes because Suwayda is Syrian with its own culture and history.”

Historical incident affirming tribal values

He recalled a past event: “During the French mandate, when people in Suwayda turned to our grandfather, Mislatt Pasha, as they were harassed by the French, the French attempted to take their Druze guests. Our grandfather offered his own sons to protect the Druze guests and prevented anyone from approaching them. Our ancestors used to protect the Druze. Today, some who claim to be tribes fight them under the pretext of reconciliation. This is an organized agenda unworthy of the tribes’ name, and what happened in Suwayda under the tribes’ name is an insult to the tribes.”

SDF: national force unbreakable by incitement

Speaking about the Syrian Democratic Forces, Al-Mahshoush said: “The SDF consists of all our sons, and the incitement aimed at making the tribes’ sons abandon or defect from these forces is mere illusion. This incitement is criminal. The SDF is a Syrian force and the core of the future Syrian army. If an agreement is reached, the SDF will be present throughout Syrian territories.”

He added: “Half of the SDF forces are from our sons, and if the Arab regions think the SDF is Kurdish forces, they should know that the SDF liberated the region from the most brutal terrorist organizations in Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa, where Kurdish brethren form a small minority. The SDF is our force, and all our people stand by it.”

supporting integration into the Syrian Army under agreed terms

Al-Mahshoush affirmed: “We support the Syrian agreement and the integration of the SDF into the Syrian army in a reasonable manner agreed upon by both parties. As tribes, what we want is an agreement that keeps the SDF under the Ministry of Defense on foundations agreed by both sides.”

March 10 Agreement: necessity of implementation despite obstacles

He continued: “There is a difference between hopes and reality. We stress the implementation of the March 10 Agreement between the head of the transitional authority, Ahmad al-Shara'a’, and General Mazlum Abdi. Some do not want to implement it, and some malicious actors selectively accept some clauses while rejecting others. There is a faction close to the authority head unwilling to finalize these agreements. We insist on implementing this agreement and its terms as agreed upon. We Syrians want an agreement for one united Syria, far from sectarianism, wars, and tribal or sectarian conflicts.”

warning against fighting and call for peace

In a clear message to those inciting against the region, Sheikh Akram al-Mahshoush said: “We do not want fighting. However, if some tribes or groups engage in barbaric incitement against our regions, we emphasize that we are against wars, but we reiterate that our regions are not a playground. There will be bloodshed, and Syrians will be the losers.”

upholding national discourse and Syria’s unity

He concluded: “We affirm national discourses and the people’s demands across all Syrian regions. We emphasize Syria’s unity, free from foreign agendas, and we confirm that our demand is peace only.

ANHA