Hikmat al-Hijri: No harmony with Damascus government

In a statement to U.S. National Public Radio (NPR), al-Hijri explained that “talks with the Damascus government are ongoing, but reaching an agreement will be difficult,” adding that “the armed terrorist factions now consider themselves responsible for governance in Damascus, and this is unacceptable on both a Syrian and international level.”

 He confirmed that the Druze forces maintaining security in Suwayda “will remain as they are” and will continue to control the borders of the area with territory held by the Damascus authorities. He noted that the Druze forces “are gathering fighters and preparing plans to repel government forces if needed.”

 Sheikh al-Hijri stressed, “We do not want foreign intervention, because this is a transitional and dangerous phase,” affirming that “bloodshed only leads to more bloodshed. We reject sectarianism and seek to build a civil state.”

 Meanwhile, NPR quoted Bassem Abu Fakhr, spokesperson for the “Men of Dignity” movement, saying, “We cannot deceive ourselves after what happened on the coast,” explaining that “we’ve come to the conclusion that if the situation continues like this, coexistence is no longer possible.”

 Abu Fakhr added, “We are not loyal to the government, but we are keen on unifying Syria, with Damascus as our capital. There is no dignity for a person except in his homeland.”

 He pointed out concerns about the new Syrian government, citing the 2015 massacre in which over 20 Druze villagers were killed in Idlib, northwest Syria, by Jabhat al-Nusra. 

The “Men of Dignity” spokesperson revealed that the movement has fighters in 100 villages, armed with rifles, machine guns, rockets, and mortars.

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ANHA