Israeli media: Secret negotiations under the auspices of the United States between Damascus and Druze leaders in Sweida
The Israeli media official reported that US-sponsored negotiations are taking place between the government in Damascus and Druze leaders in the southern Syrian province of Sweida, in an effort to reach a political and security settlement that would end the tension in the region.
According to the report, the basis of the talks is to grant broad security and administrative powers to local authorities in Sweida, in exchange for some Druze parties abandoning demands for autonomy or any separatist tendencies, and keeping the province under the sovereignty of the central government in Damascus.
According to Syrian security source as saying that the authorities are seeking to open channels of dialogue with representatives of the Druze community with the aim of reducing the influence of religious and political figures who refuse to recognize the legitimacy of the current government, led by Sheikh Hikmat al Hijri, one of the most prominent religious authorities of the Druze community in Syria.
The Syrian source explained that the proposal in circulation includes the deployment of internal security services only within the province, without the introduction of regular military forces, to avoid any new escalation on the ground.
He also noted that Damascus doesn’t want to take practical steps before obtaining guarantees that regional actors won’t interfere, referring to Israel.
According to the report, Damascus is counting on the support of the US administration led by Donald Trump to push the parties towards an understanding that keeps Sweida within the framework of the Syrian state and reduces the chances of regional friction in the south.
