ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Laith al-Balous, a prominent figure in Syria’s Druze-majority southern province of Suwayda, said on Saturday that he supports the community's future within a unified Syrian state, despite growing calls among some Druze for a federal system.
"We believe Syria's future should be based on unity," Balous told Rudaw. "Expanded administrative decentralization may be beneficial, but any project that leads us toward partition will only deepen the crises."
Balous stressed that Suwayda "does not need separation" but rather "development and genuine partnership within Syria," adding that the province should become "a strong and effective partner in rebuilding the state."
Balous' position also highlights divisions within the Druze leadership itself. His stance contrasts with that of Hikmat al-Hajri, one of Syria's most influential Druze spiritual leaders, who has advocated for a federal system and greater self-administration for Suwayda.
The Syrian defense minister received Balous on Wednesday, introducing him as the representative of the Men of Dignity, a Druze armed group founded by his family. Balous is known for his pro-government stance and has met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa as well.
The Men of Dignity Movement, founded in 2013 by Wahid Balous, Laith Balous' father, was established to protect Druze youth from compulsory military service in the former Syrian army and prevent their involvement in the country's civil war. The group has since emerged as one of the most powerful armed factions in Suwayda.
His remarks come amid growing tensions between Syria's Druze community and the country's new authorities in Damascus following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government.
Many Druze leaders have voiced concerns about the protection of minority rights, local governance, and security arrangements under the new administration.
In July, deadly clashes erupted between Druze fighters and Sunni Bedouin tribes in Suwayda province, escalating with the involvement of Syrian government forces, before a ceasefire was reached after days. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that nearly 2,000 people were killed, including around 765 Druze civilians, many of whom were executed by defense and interior ministry forces under the Damascus government.
The violence and fears of marginalization have fueled uncertainty in Suwayda, a Druze-majority province that has largely remained outside direct government control throughout much of Syria's conflict.
Addressing al-Hijri's proposals, Balous drew a distinction between administrative decentralization and political separation.
"Expanded administrative decentralization may be a tool to improve governance and services across all Syrian provinces, but projects that lead to division or the creation of separate entities are causes of further crises, not solutions," he said.
Balous also rejected what he described as external attempts to influence Syria's Druze community. Commenting on relations with Israel, he accused Tel Aviv of "continuously trying to exploit the situation and crises and portray itself as a protector of minorities."
"We completely reject this logic. Syria's Druze have always been part of the Syrian national project and have never needed external patronage," he said.
Unlike Balous, Hajri favors good relations with Israel.
Mohammed Issa contributed to this article.
