The Syrian Future Movement reaffirms its unwavering commitment to building a unified, civil, and democratic nation-state—a state that guarantees the rights of all Syrians without discrimination and preserves the unity and sovereignty of Syrian territory, free from any form of separatism or militia control.
Based on this commitment, the Syrian Future Movement strongly condemns the arbitrary measure taken by groups affiliated with the so-called “National Guard” in the Suwayda Governorate. This measure involves the complete closure of the Damascus-Suwayda road to civilian traffic from within the governorate, effective Sunday morning, February 8, 2026, until further notice. Only commercial convoys and those arriving from outside the governorate are permitted to pass. This blatantly discriminatory step has sparked widespread public anger, resulting in severe traffic congestion at checkpoints, the turning back of buses, and celebratory gunfire at the Umm al-Zaytoun checkpoint.
The Syrian Future Movement believes this closure comes within the context of an ongoing escalation within the province, including internal divisions, leadership disputes, arrest campaigns, and a previous directive (February 7, 2026) prohibiting the publication of any field information. This reflects attempts to impose repressive local control outside the framework of the state and exacerbates tensions at a time when national unity, not isolation, is needed.
The Syrian Future Movement affirms that these separatist actions do not represent the rich history, Arab identity, or patriotism of the Suwaida province. Suwaida has always been an integral part of the Syrian fabric. Its elites and intellectuals contributed to building the modern state, and its people defended national unity against colonialism and extremism, drawing inspiration from the values of tolerance and coexistence that embody the Druze community as a vital element of the Syrian people, not as an isolated entity subjected to repression in the name of “local protection.”
The Syrian Future Movement condemns the serious negative consequences of this measure, which threatens social and economic ties between provinces, hinders students’ access to Damascus universities to take their exams (despite futile attempts to appeal to the Red Crescent), and endangers the lives of chronically ill patients and those with emergency conditions by preventing their access to treatment in the capital. This deepens the wounds during a transitional phase that demands stability and reconciliation, not division and discrimination.
The Syrian Future Movement warns that such practices exacerbate divisions within Syrian society and exploit sectarian or regional tensions for narrow purposes. This contradicts the will of the patriotic people of Suwaida, who have suffered oppression and siege, and weakens reconstruction and national unity efforts in Syria, which is beginning to emerge from its crisis.
The Syrian Future Movement calls for a constructive future vision focused on consolidating national state institutions as a fundamental solution to all challenges. In the current transitional phase, a system of governance must be established that reflects the will of the people through a consensual constitution that protects unity and rights, while adopting balanced administrative decentralization as the basis for local solutions within the framework of a centralized state.
The Syrian Future Movement recommends the following:
- The immediate and complete reopening of the Damascus-Suwayda road and the lifting of any internal sieges imposed on civilians.
- The formation of joint national dialogue committees comprising representatives from Suwayda, Damascus, and other governorates, in addition to civil and academic figures, to address security and administrative tensions peacefully and transparently.
- Support for students and patients through immediate emergency mechanisms, such as facilitating the passage of humanitarian cases and coordinating with relief organizations.
- Conducting an independent and impartial investigation into the reasons for the road closures and holding those responsible for violations accountable, while guaranteeing freedom of expression and the media without repression.
- Strengthening reconstruction programs that connect regions economically and socially, and encouraging civil initiatives such as the “Third Current” in Suwayda to amplify a unified national voice.
The Syrian Future Movement believes that the Syria of the future is a unified Syria where everyone lives under the rule of law and justice, free from militias and separatist movements that threaten the future of our generations.
We also call on all Syrians to reject division and rally around the national state that protects everyone and builds a better future, inspired by the spirit of the Syrian revolution that demanded freedom and dignity for every citizen.
