As-Suwayda, Syria — Fahd Al-Bal’ous, a senior leader of the Sheikh Al-Karama Forces—a prominent local militia in Syria’s southern As-Suwayda province—has announced plans to submit proposals to Syria’s Defense Ministry aimed at dissolving decentralized armed groups and integrating them into a unified national army. The move signals ongoing coordination between major local factions and Damascus’ transitional government, despite escalating regional tensions.
In an exclusive interview with +963, Al-Bal’ous emphasized the need to achieve Syrians’ aspirations for a democratic, civil state and advance transitional justice and national reconciliation. “We will present frameworks for local factions to the Defense Ministry in the coming period, paving the way for their dissolution and integration into the new army,” he stated.
Israeli Opposition to Syrian Military Presence
The announcement follows a stark warning from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who declared on Sunday that Israel will not permit forces linked to Syria’s transitional government to operate in southern Syria, framing the area’s security as an “Israeli responsibility.” Netanyahu demanded the region remain “completely demilitarized”. reflecting Tel Aviv’s longstanding concerns over the Golan Heights.
Local Distrust of External Agendas
Qutaiba Azzam, spokesperson for the Men of Dignity Movement—another key faction in As-Suwayda—told +963 that local groups are coordinating responses to Netanyahu’s remarks. “The people of As-Suwayda have defended themselves autonomously, as regional powers prioritize their own interests over those of Syrians’” he said.
Azzam stressed scepticism toward foreign-backed military councils, particularly those perceived as advancing external agendas. “We reject any armed structure funded or directed by outside forces that does not authentically represent the Druze community,” he added, underscoring the minority Druze population’s desire for self-determination in the war-torn region.
