Druze of Suwayda Oust Leaders Linked to Damascus

Arabian Sea Newspaper - Special

**Arab Gulf - Follow-ups:** **Multiple political and military sources in Suwayda stated that what is being portrayed today as "divisions" among the military factions affiliated with the "National Guard" is inaccurate. Rather, it is a general trend in the city to remove all figures associated with the regime in Damascus from the forefront, in response to public pressure that categorically rejects any presence of these figures in the leadership of Suwayda's military, security, and social institutions.** **A source in the military factions told "Arab Gulf" that the decision to remove the commander of the Mountain Brigade, "Shakib Trudi Azzam," from the brigade's leadership came against the backdrop of his involvement in bringing public security and Syrian army forces into the Suwayda governorate. According to the source, the decision was initially collective, and Azzam should not bear sole responsibility.** **For his part, a political source explained to "Arab Gulf" that these decisions come in response to popular pressure, pointing out that the "Druze community" is still in shock from the massacres that occurred in the governorate and rejects any presence of leaders who played a role in the entry of government forces into Suwayda. Therefore, "it is natural to neutralize all these names from the scene" now and always.** **The source considered that "the Suwayda community is aware of the pain and the causes of the pain" and will later ostracize and hold accountable all "opportunists who stood with the authority against their people."** **Removal of the "Mountain Brigade" Commander** **Yesterday, Wednesday, the "Mountain Brigade," one of the largest military factions in Suwayda, issued a decision to dismiss its commander, Shakib Trudi Azzam, and appoint "Abu Tariq Mueen Alba" as his replacement, which was interpreted as the beginning of divisions in the factions forming the new National Guard.** **A statement from the Mountain Brigade stated, "Based on our national and moral responsibility towards our people in our dear governorate, and in light of the painful events, difficult challenges, suffocating siege, and rapid political changes that our region is going through, we in the leadership of the Mountain Brigade affirm our constant commitment to preserving the security and dignity of our people and protecting our governorate from any threat that affects its stability or disrupts its security."** **It added, "After a thorough study and careful review of the course of events, and based on the observations and complaints we received from the people, it was decided to terminate the assignment and dismissal of Shakib Trudi Azzam from his duties as commander of the brigade, due to proven violations and behaviors that do not align with the values and morals of the men of the Mountain Brigade and its established principles."** **The statement clarified, "According to this decision, Mr. (Abu Tariq Mueen Alba) is assigned to lead the Mountain Brigade, starting from its date, hoping that he will continue the journey with all honesty and sincerity and that he will be up to the trust and responsibility placed upon him."** **The "Mountain Brigade" affirmed that it operates "under the banner of Sheikh Leader Abu Salman Hikmat al-Hijri" and stands within the ranks of the "National Guard," committed to national principles and constants, and "remains true to the covenant with our people in the dear governorate."** **The decision to remove the commander of the Mountain Brigade, Shakib Trudi Azzam, was preceded by a final break with many leaders in Suwayda. This was preceded by an attack on the commander of the "Men of Dignity" movement, Yahya al-Hajjar "Abu Hassan," for the same reason, which resulted in his removal from the leadership of the "Men of Dignity" movement. Mazid Khaddaj (Abu Dhiab) was appointed as the general commander of the movement in his place, and it was announced a few days ago that the largest faction in Suwayda had joined what is known as the "National Guard," which was founded by the spiritual leader of the Druze community, Hikmat al-Hijri, by incorporating all military factions into it.** **Disavowal of "Traitors of the Sect"** **Prior to that, the break with the commander of "Madhafat al-Karama," Laith al-Balaous, and the commander of "Tajammu Ahrar Jabal al-Arab," Salman Abdel-Baqi, was an irreversible decision in Suwayda, due to their supportive stance towards the Syrian authorities and facilitating the entry of government forces into the city, especially because of their continued opposition to Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, who enjoys the greatest consensus among the Druze after the recent attack on Suwayda.** **The families of Jabal al-Arab had disowned their sons because of their positions on the recent events in Suwayda, as the Al-Balaous and Al-Abdel-Baqi families issued separate statements disowning both Laith Wahid al-Balaous and Suleiman Abdel-Baqi.** **The Al-Balaous family affirmed that Laith does not represent them, accusing him of "deviating from the path of the ancestors and betraying the blood of the sect," while the Al-Abdel-Baqi family described Suleiman as a "criminal pretending to be a sheikh" and threatened to hand him over or eliminate him.** **For its part, sources close to the authority in Damascus accused Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri of imposing house arrest on Sheikhs Youssef Jarboa and Hamoud al-Hanawi and subjecting them to severe pressure to come out with public positions criticizing the Syrian authority in Damascus.** **This came after the appearance of Sheikhs Jarboa and al-Hanawi in speeches and statements criticizing the Damascus authorities on the same day, and more than a week after the end of the recent clashes in Suwayda, in an indication that parties close to the Syrian government found to be a tightening and persecution of voices calling for dialogue and joint action with Damascus.**