Syrian President Al-Sharaa Opposes Partition During Sweida Unrest

Damascus (Eurotoday Newspaper) – Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa stated that the effort to unify the nation after years of civil unrest “should not be with blood.” He rejected the idea of partition and accused Israel of interfering in the southern region.

As reported, his statements, released by state TV on Sunday, came as hundreds protested in south Syria’s Sweida region, condemning sectarian violence last month and calling for the right to self-determination for the Druze-majority area.

What did President Sharaa say about Syria’s unity?

“We still have another battle ahead of us to unify Syria, and it should not be with blood and military force… it should be through some kind of understanding because Syria is tired of war,”

Sharaa spoke during a dialogue session with notable figures from northwest Idlib province and other high-ranking officials.

“I do not see Syria as at risk of division. Some people desire a process of dividing Syria and trying to establish cantons… this matter is impossible,”

he said, according to a recording of the meeting that was distributed overnight by the state media.

“Some parties seek to gain power through regional power, Israel or others. This is also extremely difficult and cannot be implemented,”

he stated.

Why are protests erupting in Sweida’s Druze-majority region?

At the Sweida protest, demonstrators waved the Israeli flag and demanded self-determination for the region. Demonstrators also chanted slogans demanding complete independence for Sweida, and not just federal or autonomous rule. They rejected the current interim Syrian government in Damascus and accused it of favouring their opponents and engaging in abuses.

How did Sharaa dismiss fears of Syria’s partition?

The Syrian president said that Sweida

“witnessed many violations from all sides… some members of the security forces and army in Syria also carried out some violations”.

The state is mandated “to hold all perpetrators of violations to account”, whatever their affiliation, he also said.

What accusations did Sharaa make about Israel’s involvement?

“Israel is intervening directly in Sweida, seeking to implement policies aimed at weakening the state in general or finding excuses to interfere in ongoing policies in the southern region,”

Sharaa expressed.

“We are now discussing the mechanisms for implementation”

of the deal, he said.

What triggered the deadly July clashes in Sweida?

Violence