In Syria relative calm forced displacement and Trump was surprised!

Forced Displacement

On the second day of the ceasefire agreement between Syria and Israel-Hajri's militia, the Hikmat al-Hajri militia forcibly displaced the Bedouin minority from Suwayda Governorate toward Daraa on July 22 according to Syria's interior ministry. The displaced civilians were received by Suwayda’s security chief, Brigadier General Ayman Dalati, who promised they would return to their homes once the situation stabilizes. According to Civil Defense, 1,500 civilians were transferred from Suwayda to Daraa shelter centers.

Scenes of the displacement buses revived memories Syrians had thought ended with the fall of Assad, but this time they came not at the hands of government forces, but rather at the hands of a militia (described by officials as “outside the law”) backed by Israel and led by Hikmat al-Hajri.

The displaced recounted stories of bloodshed, with civilians killed and villages burned by the Hajri militia after expelling their inhabitants.

Hajri’s Defiance

On July 20, Hikmat al-Hajri issued a statement rejecting the entry of any Syrian government official or aid into Suwayda, demanding that only assistance from UN organizations be allowed. A Syrian Red Crescent convoy did enter the city, but the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the restrictions, blaming Israel for the deteriorating security in the region.

Hajri also demanded:

- The withdrawal of all forces affiliated with the Damascus government from the vicinity of Jabal al-Arab and all its towns and villages

- The exchange of detainees at exactly 6 PM in the village of Umm al-Zaytoun

- Provision of internet and communication services to ensure the exchange process succeeds

- Government commitment to the ceasefire

Government forces managed to halt the tribal forces’ advance toward Suwayda, urging them to adhere to the three-day agreement, which starts with a ceasefire between the tribes and Hajri militia, followed by an exchange of prisoners and aid delivery within 48 hours, and finally, the entry of government security forces into the governorate. The extent of their deployment remains unclear, but Hajri categorically rejects their entry.

Syrian President Ahmad al-Shar’a stated, “With the state's withdrawal from certain areas, armed groups from Suwayda launched retaliatory attacks against Bedouins and their families, accompanied by human rights violations that prompted other tribes to intervene and break the siege on Bedouins trapped in Suwayda.”

Shar’a called on tribes to honor the ceasefire brokered by the U.S., Jordan, and Turkey between Syria and Israel.

Nevertheless, minor clashes between tribes and Hijri militia were recorded on July 22 in northern Suwayda.

On July 14, the Syrian Ministry of Interior announced, in coordination with the Ministry of Defense, its intent to directly intervene to end the conflict in Suwayda, restore security, and refer those responsible to the competent judiciary. This followed deadly clashes and mutual kidnappings between Druze militia and Suwayda Bedouins that left 30 dead from both sides. In response to this move, Hikmat al-Hajri requested Israeli protection, which led to Israeli airstrikes on Damascus, Suwayda, and Daraa on July 16, killing three and injuring 34—who were not Israel’s first victims.

Disinformation Campaigns

Fake accounts, Kurdish-led media outlets, and Assad-aligned activists used the conflict to launch a coordinated disinformation campaign. Hundreds of posts and videos falsely claimed a sectarian massacre against Druze in Suwayda by government forces, reminiscent of the coastal violence last March. The head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights demanded an international investigation, accusing the government of bias in its internal probes.

Most documented violations by government forces in Suwayda involved shaving civilians’ mustaches. City residents claimed government fighters looted property and killed civilians during their assault.

Whenever Shar’a’s government moves against militias or attempts to unify the country, it faces organized disinformation—from social media platforms to foreign officials and news outlets—just as it did during last March’s coastal unrest.

The Men of Dignity Disown Balous

In this context, Sheikh Laith al-Balous, son of former leader of the "Men of Dignity" movement, released a video statement July 19, accusing the Hajri militia of attempting to assassinate him and desecrate his father’s grave. He called for:

- Rejecting foreign interference

- Committing to Syria’s unity

- Negotiating with the government

However, the movement his father once led responded with a statement claiming Balous no longer represents them and reaffirming their support for Hijri’s leadership in Suwayda.

American Reactions

Media outlets reported that the U.S. President was surprised by Israel’s bombing of Damascus, with American officials describing the Israeli Prime Minister as “trigger-happy and erratic.”

U.S. envoy to Syria Tom Barack praised the Syrian government’s handling of the Suwayda crisis, urging it to embrace responsibility and work toward integrating minorities. He accused Israel of destabilizing Syria’s unity and peace. Israeli officials responded that their actions aim to protect their borders and the Druze minority from potential attacks.

Meanwhile, U.S. lawmakers proposed an alternative bill to the one currently under debate that would phase out Caesar Act sanctions over two years, monitoring Syria’s progress in protecting minorities. This contradicts the President’s position, which favors lifting sanctions entirely to allow Syria a chance for stability and reconstruction.

Next Steps

President Shar’a appears determined to uphold the ceasefire agreement, despite tribal opposition and threats to resume attacks if Hajri fails to comply.

The agreement’s final clause vaguely states the deployment of government security forces in Suwayda, but the mechanism remains unclear. Hijri, backed by Israeli forces, insists on preventing any government-affiliated personnel from entering.

The coming two days may prove decisive for Suwayda’s fate.

Moumin Sawady