conflict in Syria's Suwayda reveals a struggle for power & influence

 Media Commentary

The appearance of Sheikh Laith Al-Balous alongside Syrian President Ahmad Al-Shara on the night of the Damascus International Fair’s opening (August 27), followed by his participation in a fundraising campaign for the Houran region (September 2) amid public applause, left little doubt about the preferred figure the Syrian government is promoting to lead the political scene in As-Suwayda province—likely by sidelining Hikmat Al-Hajri, according to the government’s vision. This comes after Al-Hajri announced a complete boycott of the Syrian government, called for secession, and expressed gratitude to Israel.

son of the founder of the “Men of Dignity” movement, Sheikh Wahid Al-Balous—known for his opposition to Assad—had split from the movement after his father’s assassination and formed a new faction, “Forces of Sheikh Al-Karama.” He was among the first to initiate dialogue with the new government in Damascus following Assad’s fall, aiming to strengthen his position in the province. This put him at odds with Al-Hajri, who seemingly had his own plans for the region years before Assad’s downfall. On June 1, Al-Balous survived an assassination attempt when gunmen—reportedly affiliated with Al-Hajri—opened fire on his vehicle.

While the recent violence in As-Suwayda revealed many complexities, one of the most prominent was the hidden struggle between rival militias vying for influence. The most dominant among them appeared to be the so-called “Military Council,” which later evolved into the “National Guard” under Al-Hajri’s direct leadership.

At the time, the “Sheikh Al-Karama” fighters loyal to Al-Balous—officially appointed by the government to maintain security in the province and paid by the state—repeatedly failed to stop the violence or confront the Military Council militia, or other outlaw gangs which one of them stormed Governor Mustafa Al-Bakkour’s office, insulted him, and forced his resignation and departure on May 24, 2025, before he later reversed his resignation.

Governor Mustafa Al-Bakkour

Al-Hajri’s success in halting the government’s advance to control the province, with Israeli support, resulted in two major setbacks for the young man. Al-Hajri’s militia attacked forces loyal to Balous after accusing them of treason and collaboration with government forces in the fighting in As-Suwayda. This forced Laith to flee the province.

Today, under President Al-Shara’s administration and amid regional and international understandings, Al-Balous is betting on the government to regain influence in the province and even replace or neutralize Al-Hajri as the spiritual leader of the Druze. Especially after regional and international indifference of Al-Hajri’s calls for secession. The government, in turn, is betting on the young man to help reassert control over the province and reintegrate it into the state—whether through peaceful resolution or military action.

Syria news report