Leader from As-Suwayda: ceasefire violations continue; we will respond to any attack

 The city of As-Suwayda and its countryside are witnessing ongoing violations of the ceasefire agreement. The latest incident involved two people injured in a drone attack on September 27. Villages with civilian populations are targeted daily, and the city of As-Suwayda itself is subjected to shelling. There are warnings about the collapse of the declared truce and the resumption of escalation in the southern region, according to a military field commander.

“Daily Violations of the Ceasefire”

Yamen Sagheer, commander of the Hamza Knights forces from the National Guard in As-Suwayda, spoke to ANHA agency about the violations suffered by As-Suwayda, confirming that they occur daily. He said: “The Interim Government violates the ceasefire on a daily basis and is not committed to this truce.” He noted that these breaches happen “by the hour, not by the day.”

As-Suwayda and its countryside witnessed massacres and killings on July 13 due to military escalation between the Interim Government forces and affiliated armed groups on one side, and the local military forces now known as the National Guard on the other. Israel also became involved from another side.

After several international attempts, a ceasefire agreement was reached under international and regional sponsorship, taking effect on July 20. However, violations have continued to this day.

He pointed out that violations are concentrated mainly in the villages of Al-Mujaymar, Najran ‘Ara, Al-Majdal, and Kanakir, noting that even the city of As-Suwayda itself experiences attacks through shelling of some neighborhoods with mortar shells.

The National Guard commander emphasized that as a military force, “we are committed to the truce and have no orders to respond to these violations,” adding that “everything has its limits.” He said that “the Interim Government militants seek to create chaos to enter and exit and do whatever they want in As-Suwayda, and this is something we will not allow.”

“Ready to Respond to Any Attack”

Regarding the military forces’ readiness in As-Suwayda to respond to any assault or attack, Commander Yamen Sagheer confirmed they are “on high alert to respond to any aggression.”

He questioned the role of the Interim Government in ignoring the violations by its forces and failing to control them, calling for “an end to the breach of this agreement.”

“Moving Beyond Factionalism”

The National Guard commander affirmed that they have moved beyond “the factional state and are now a unified military body.” He added that these forces “are endorsed by Sheikh Hikmat Al-Hajri,” from whom they derive their strength. “The National Guard has become the hope for the people of As-Suwayda and is under unified leadership,” he stated.

Regarding any possible reconciliation with the Interim Government, the military commander from As-Suwayda denied this, saying: “There is no reconciliation with the Daesh-affiliated government that lacks the mindset of a state and represents an extremist religious ideology,” stressing that this ideology and approach “are unsuitable for the people of As-Suwayda.”

In conclusion, Commander Yamen Sagheer called on the people to educate themselves about their forces, who are the guarantors and protectors of their lives, honor, and dignity.

ANHA