The first anniversary of the tragic violence that struck Suwaida Governorate in mid-July 2025 is upon us. This painful anniversary reminds us of the scale of the humanitarian catastrophe that claimed the lives of at least 1,760 people from all sides, displaced 150,000 families, and left deep psychological and economic wounds that continue to hinder the return of normal life to the affected villages and towns.
On this day, the Syrian Future Movement extends its deepest condolences and sympathies to the families of the victims from all communities in Suwaida Governorate and reiterates its unwavering solidarity with all those who lost loved ones, were displaced from their homes, or continue to suffer the consequences of these tragic events.
First: The Syrian Future Movement emphasizes that the events in Suwaida represent a deep national wound that requires a comprehensive approach, one that extends beyond security measures to include justice, reconciliation, and reparations.
These events have left immense devastation on the social and economic fabric of the region, and the affected villages continue to suffer from economic challenges and psychological wounds that hinder a return to normalcy.
We believe that addressing this wound requires more than just temporary security measures. It necessitates a clear path to transitional justice that includes fair legal accountability for all those involved, regardless of their affiliation; recognition of the massacres committed against civilians; reparations for victims and their families; rehabilitation of the affected areas; and guarantees that such tragedies will not be repeated in the future.
Secondly, the Syrian Future Movement commends the steps taken on the path to justice and accountability, foremost among them the commencement of public trials for those involved in the events, and calls for the continuation and expansion of this path to include all those responsible.
We recall that last year witnessed significant developments in the field of justice, including the submission of the final report by the National Commission of Inquiry, which documented 1,760 deaths and 2,188 injuries. In early July 2026, the Military Criminal Court in Damascus began its first public trials of those involved in the violations.
We commend these steps, which affirm the transitional government’s commitment to achieving justice. We emphasize that accountability must extend to all those proven to be involved, including instigators and planners, regardless of their position or status.
We also call for expediting the completion of investigations, expanding the lists of those accused as new evidence emerges, and ensuring full transparency in the trial proceedings.
Third: The Syrian Future Movement strongly condemns the exploitation of the Suwaida tragedy by certain parties, most notably Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, to break away from the Syrian state and seek foreign support, particularly from the Israeli entity.
Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, once considered a spiritual leader of the Druze community, has transformed into a separatist leader exploiting the people’s suffering to serve a foreign agenda.
On January 14, 2026, al-Hijri stated in an interview with an Israeli website that he sees himself as “an integral part of the State of Israel’s existence,” considering Israel “the sole guarantor and authority in any future agreement,” and demanding complete independence from Syria.
We view these statements, which constitute an explicit call for secession under Israeli tutelage, as a betrayal of the blood spilled in Suwaida and a consecration of partition plans that serve the enemies of national unity.
The Syrian Future Movement reiterates that exploiting human tragedy for political gain under foreign auspices is morally and politically unacceptable, and that the future of Suwaida can only be within the framework of a unified and fully sovereign Syria.
Fourth: The Syrian Future Movement emphasizes that the transitional phase in Syria requires strengthening state institutions, not dismantling them, and that any security or administrative arrangements in the provinces must be made within the framework of the Syrian state, not under foreign tutelage.
While the Syrian Future Movement recognizes the legitimacy of the reform demands of the people of Suwaida, it categorically rejects any attempt to seek foreign support or rely on regional backing aimed at undermining national sovereignty.
We also reiterate that comprehensive national dialogue, not reliance on external parties, is the only way to address grievances and build a strong and just state.
In this context, we recall what was stated in our previous statement issued on July 5, 2026, entitled “The Start of Public Trials in the Suwaida Events,” in which we stressed that “holding those involved in the Suwaida events accountable is a national and moral duty that cannot be postponed,” and called for “addressing the historical roots of tension between the components of local society through launching national reconciliation initiatives.”
Fifth: Based on its national responsibility, the Syrian Future Movement recommends the following:
- Completing the path of justice and accountability by expediting the trials of those involved in the events, ensuring fair and public trials for all, and not limiting the prosecution to the direct perpetrators, but expanding the scope of accountability to include all those proven responsible for incitement or planning.
- Accelerating the determination of the fate of the missing and working to end the suffering of families still awaiting news of their loved ones, similar to the success achieved in releasing some abductees.
- Activating national reconciliation programs by launching dialogue initiatives among local community groups to promote understanding and tolerance and thwart any attempts to exploit historical differences to serve foreign agendas.
- Accelerating the pace of reconstruction, ensuring the return of displaced persons to their villages and towns, and providing them with basic services, following successful examples in other areas.
The Syrian Future Movement reiterates that the events in Suwaida are a wound in the body of the nation, and that healing this wound requires genuine justice, comprehensive national reconciliation, and a firm rejection of any separatist projects or reliance on foreign powers.
While we appreciate the efforts made by the interim government in the accountability process, we demand further steps to achieve justice and dignity for the people of Suwaida, and to ensure that Syria remains united, strong, and capable of protecting all its citizens without discrimination.
