As-Suwayda governorate in southern Syria stands as a unique example of popular awareness, having refused to be dragged into violence since 2011. With the launch of the new movement in 2023, the governorate emerged as a completely peaceful and civic model, uniting all segments of society in a civilized path toward change.
Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri played a pivotal role in supporting the movement, stressing the rejection of sectarianism, while Sheikh Youssef Jarbou adopted a reserved stance stemming from his keenness to avoid division, reflecting a balanced diversity within the community.
The establishment of the Civil-Military Council was announced in 2025 as a local body tasked with protecting the community and organizing security without any involvement in armed action, while pursuing dialogue with the transitional government and emphasizing the independence of local decision-making.
Despite regional pressures, the people of As-Suwayda have been keen to maintain their independence of decision-making and refused to engage in any foreign axes, emphasizing that a genuine solution must be purely Syrian, based on dialogue and reform.
With the decline of centralized services, residents turned to local and collective initiatives to rehabilitate infrastructure, reflecting a state of social cohesion and solidarity, and demonstrating the community's ability to overcome challenges through collective will.
With conscious leadership, a peaceful movement, and a constructive spirit, As-Suwayda is taking steady steps to become a model to be emulated in the new Syria. It has proven that peaceful change is possible, and that dignity can only be won through popular will.
