Following a major meeting this evening involving nearly all Druze religious, civil, and community leaders in Syria’s Suwayda Governorate, a joint statement was issued affirming their loyalty to a unified Syria under the authority of the Damascus government. The leaders condemned violence by rebel and extremist groups, endorsed the presence of Syrian Interior Ministry forces, and announced plans to recruit local Suwayda residents into the security services. Notably, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri—the spiritual leader of Syria’s Druze community—was present at the gathering but reportedly left before the statement was read, suggesting a possible protest against the group’s decision.