خارجون عن القانون يغلقون طريق السويداء – دمشق

The Syrian authorities announced that "outlaw" groups have completely closed the Suwayda - Damascus road, preventing citizens from passing.

The Suwayda Media Directorate reported in a statement on its Facebook page (on Saturday) that the Um al-Zaytoun checkpoint, belonging to the outlaw groups, is blocking the movement of civilians, travelers, and students.

Qutaiba Azzam, the Director of Media Relations at the Suwayda Media Directorate, stated that the outlaw groups have closed the road in both directions at their Um al-Zaytoun checkpoint, while the internal security forces at the Matouna checkpoint continue to provide all necessary facilitation, according to the Syrian news agency "SANA."

Last Wednesday, the "outlaw" groups prevented administrative staff and employees from heading to the governorate building in the Al-Soura Al-Sughra area of northern Suwayda to continue their work and attend to the citizens' service affairs.

For his part, Suwayda Governor Mustafa al-Bakur announced the Syrian government's readiness for dialogue to reach solutions to the crisis in the governorate, accusing the outlaw groups of obstructing reconciliation efforts to protect their own interests.

He confirmed that the government has implemented some items of the roadmap specific to the governorate, including securing the Damascus - Suwayda road and deploying internal security forces, noting that external interventions have contributed to hindering the path to a solution.

Suwayda experienced bloody clashes last year between armed Druze groups affiliated with Al-Hajri and others linked to the tribes, before witnessing a ceasefire agreement since July 2025.

However, some armed Druze groups have repeatedly violated it and targeted military points, while the government adhered to the agreement and facilitated the evacuation of those wishing to leave and the entry of humanitarian aid.

Meanwhile, Druze cleric Hikmat Al-Hajri and several of his supporters reiterated their "desire to separate and join Israel."

For his part, U.S. Presidential Envoy Tom Brack announced that there is no protection for Hikmat Al-Hajri.
Brack considered, in his first clear stance, that the concern in Suwayda comes "from a Druze sheikh who exploits the illusion of Israeli and American support to oppress other Druze," referring to Al-Hajri without naming him. He affirmed that "what this sheikh hints at regarding American support for him is completely wrong."