According to Enab Baladi, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri sent a message to the United Nations Secretary-General and other international bodies on October 11, declaring that conditions in Suwayda constitute "a blatant violation of international humanitarian law under the four Geneva Conventions" and amount to "crimes of genocide and crimes against humanity" under the Rome Statute.
In his appeal to the UN Security Council, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Arab League, and Amnesty International, al-Hijri described the region—which he referred to by the Hebrew term "Jabal al-Bashan"—as suffering under "a comprehensive and harsh siege threatening civilian lives" for months. He cited critical shortages of food, medicine, water, and fuel, while accusing authorities of exploiting limited international aid for propaganda purposes.
The spiritual leader outlined a dire humanitarian situation including the suspension of salaries and pensions, paralysis of public institutions due to internet cutoffs, denial of education to students, and what he termed the "occupation" of 35 villages. He also reported the destruction of vital infrastructure including hospitals, factories, and fuel stations, as well as the targeted killing of medical personnel.
Government Denies Responsibility
Suwayda Governor Mustafa al-Bakour rejected these accusations, stating that service decline stems from "internal positions" rather than government negligence. Speaking to journalists on October 8, he claimed Damascus stands ready to provide resources but alleged that local actors are preventing cooperation and operating outside legal frameworks.
Al-Bakour accused unnamed parties of allowing "countries like Israel and the United States to speak on their behalf in international forums," and claimed that attempts to contact the government were met with threats from local forces. He alleged that an "illegal committee" seized approximately $1.5 million worth of Syrian pounds and one million U.S. dollars from the provincial bank, preventing salary disbursements.
The governor said the government proposed distributing salaries through the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, but local bodies refused, maintaining what he called a false narrative of being "under siege."
Roots of the Crisis
The conflict erupted on July 12 following mutual kidnappings between Bedouin residents of the al-Maqous neighborhood and members of the Druze community. Armed clashes began the next day, prompting Syrian government intervention on July 14.
However, alleged violations against Druze civilians during the government response triggered armed resistance from local factions. On July 16, government forces withdrew following Israeli airstrikes, which were followed by retaliatory acts against Bedouin residents and subsequent "tribal mobilizations." A U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Syria and Israel eventually ended military operations.
Sheikh al-Hijri has demanded immediate international action, including lifting the siege, establishing humanitarian corridors, withdrawing armed groups from occupied villages, and enabling the mountain's population to exercise self-determination under UN supervision. He called for accountability before international courts for those responsible for what he describes as systematic crimes against his community.
The standoff continues with no clear resolution in sight, as both sides maintain contradictory narratives about responsibility for the deepening humanitarian crisis.
Photo: The source