The protection of Druze citizens and their rights is a priority for the Syrian government. This was stated by the country's interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, reported "Reuters".
His statement comes after clashes between Syrian Druze and government forces in the southern city of Sweida, which lasted several days, and Israel carried out strikes in both Sweida and Damascus, where it hit the entrance to the Ministry of Defense. Israel also promised to destroy government forces in the southern city and protect the Druze community in the area.
Sharaa addressed the Druze citizens, stating that "we reject any attempt to drag you into the hands of an outside party or to create division within our ranks" and stressed that Syria will never be a place of division and fragmentation.
Ahmed al-Sharaa also noted that "we are all part of this land and we will not allow any group to distort this beautiful image of Syria and its diversity".
"We are not among those who fear war. "We have spent our lives facing challenges and protecting our people, but we have put the interests of the Syrian people before chaos and destruction," the president said, adding that the Syrian people are not afraid of war and are ready to fight if their dignity is threatened.
On July 16, the Druze reached a ceasefire agreement with the Syrian government in Sweida, which will take effect immediately.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the violence in southern Syria was a "direct threat to efforts to build a peaceful and stable Syria".
However, influential Druze leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajari said that the fighting must continue until Sweida is "fully liberated".