Druze Leader Opposes Agreement with Syria's New Regime

Sheikh Akl, a senior Druze leader in Syria, voiced strong opposition to an agreement with the newly formed regime under President Ahmed al-Sharaa, citing concerns over the "extremism" of the transitional government in Damascus. In a recent meeting in Sweida, the heart of the Druze community in Syria, Sheikh Akl, head of the Druze Unitarian Community, emphasized the deep divisions between the Druze community and the current Syrian administration.

The Sheikh's remarks come after a significant agreement was signed between local Druze leaders and the Syrian government. On March 13, Druze dignitaries from the Sweida district met with Sweida Governor Mustafa al-Bakour, signing a memorandum of understanding on administrative and security matters. This agreement allows Syrian regime forces to enter Sweida and integrates local security services into the control of the Syrian Ministry of Interior.

Despite this agreement, Sheikh Akl criticized the regime’s approach, calling it "extremist" and underscoring the continued struggle for autonomy among Syria's ethnic and religious minorities. Local Druze police officers will be required under the agreement, though the Syrian government will still have the power to appoint key officials, raising concerns about the extent of local control.

The Druze community's stance is reflective of broader political dynamics within Syria, where the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), representing Kurdish interests, also rejected the new constitutional framework proposed by the al-Sharaa-led government. The SDC criticized the new framework for perpetuating authoritarianism and failing to adequately protect the rights of Syria’s diverse communities, particularly the Kurds who have established an autonomous administration in the northeast.

Meanwhile, the United Nations' Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, has urged the new authorities to work toward an inclusive transitional government, emphasizing the importance of fostering national consensus. The international community remains concerned about the potential for further sectarian violence, especially following recent killings in the coastal region, which were blamed on government-aligned fighters.

With the Kurds rejecting the constitutional declaration and Druze leaders like Sheikh Akl opposing regime agreements, it remains unclear how the Syrian government can unify its diverse regions and communities under a single political system.