[Updated] ‘A serious threat to civil peace and national unity’: Statements from Rojava on sectarian violence in As-Suwayda
[Editor’s note: Nilüfer Koç, spokesperson for the Commission on Foreign Relations of the Kurdistan National Congress, will be speaking at Ecosocialism 2025, September 5-7, Naarm/Melbourne, Australia. For more information on the conference visit ecosocialism.org.au.]
Below LINKS International Journal of Socialist Renewal is republishing statements by the Syrian Democratic Council, the Democratic Union Party (PYD) and the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) on the escalating sectarian violence in As-Suwayda, in southern Syria.
Syrian Democratic Council (SDC): On the situation in As-Suwayda
The Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) is following, with deep concern, the rapidly unfolding events in Suwayda Governorate. These developments pose a serious threat to civil peace and the fabric of national unity. These events could cause even more suffering and instability in Syria, a country that is already deeply weakened and damaged by years of war and internal strife.
Regardless of causes or motivations of the events, the recent escalation cannot be separated from the broader course of the Syrian crisis. It is also closely tied to the ongoing absence of a just and comprehensive political solution. Such a solution is urgently needed to end the suffering and create a real and meaningful opportunity for positive transformations or reforms.
At the SDC, we believe that turning to armed confrontation, and the increasing normalization of violence, do not serve the people’s interests. Nor do they advance the cause of justice. Instead, they deepen existing divisions and escalate instability — at a time when Syria urgently needs stability and reconciliation, not further harm.
In this context, we strongly condemn the involvement of elements from the Syrian regime’s security apparatus in fueling the internal conflict. We consider this behavior deeply irresponsible. It contradicts the fundamental role of any government that claims to serve its people. A government’s responsibility is to protect its citizens and ensure their safety. It must not use its security institutions to inflame divisions or deepen fragmentation. Any form of government involvement that promotes violence or disrupts social cohesion is a serious violation of its obligation. It puts the country at further risk of chaos and collapse.
We also warn of the serious dangers posed by sectarian rhetoric and hate speech that have accompanied these developments. This kind of language has long fueled conflict in Syria. It must be firmly rejected. The unity of the Syrian people cannot be built on sectarian incitement. It must be based on the principles of citizenship, equality, and mutual respect.
We call on all parties in Suwayda — and throughout Syria — to act with restraint. Immediate de-escalation is essential. We urge all sides to prioritize constructive dialogue over the use of force. We also stress the urgent need to launch responsible, inclusive initiatives to defuse tensions. These efforts must address the root causes of the crisis through political and peaceful means. Above all, they must uphold the dignity and needs of the Syrian people.
Syria stands today at a historic crossroads. There is a real opportunity to emerge from this prolonged national crisis. But this opportunity requires a high level of national responsibility. We must all commit to placing the interests of the Syrian people above sectarian or political divisions. A new Syria cannot be built through internal warfare. It can only emerge through unity, rooted in pluralism, justice, and democracy.
The SDC reaffirms its firm commitment to an inclusive intra-Syrian dialogue. We reject all forms of violence and emphasize the importance of respecting the will of all peoples and communities within Syria. Any internal conflict — no matter where it takes place — weakens the prospects of a political solution. It benefits those who want to keep the country weak, divided, and in crisis.
We greatly appreciate the sensible and wise opinions expressed by people in Suwayda, who urge everyone to remain peaceful and act responsibly. We stand in solidarity with the people of the region in their legitimate aspirations for dignity, rights, and justice — free from coercion and oppression. We call upon all national actors and allies to work together toward a new phase in Syria’s future. One built on reconciliation and transformation — not on conflict and destruction.
July 14, 2025
Democratic Union Party (PYD): Regarding the tragic events in As-Suwayda
In light of the dangerous escalation in Suwayda province and the accompanying bloody events that threaten civil peace and the unity of the Syrian people, our party, the Democratic Union Party (PYD), is issuing a statement to the public, calling for averting strife and protecting the Syrian national fabric:
We, in the Democratic Union Party (PYD), are following with deep concern and regret the recent painful developments in the south of our Syrian homeland, especially in As-Suwayda Governorate, where the recent clashes have led to the deaths of dozens of civilians and young men who took up arms to defend their families against outlawed factions working to spread chaos and terror among the people of the region.
What is happening in Suwayda can only be considered signs of a dangerous internal strife that threatens the Syrian fabric and opens the door to a civil war between the people of one nation.
This strife is being fueled by suspicious parties of warlords and foreign powers, while the price is being paid by our people, who have always struggled for a free and dignified life under a just, democratic state.
We, in the Democratic Union Party (PYD), demand that the transitional government in Damascus shoulder its national responsibilities in protecting all Syrians without discrimination and stand firmly against all those who attack the dignity and property of citizens, regardless of their affiliations or backgrounds.
We also call on them to reconsider their legal and political status, and to immediately move away from the discourse of the majority and minorities, and the language of incitement and hatred broadcast through the official media or through platforms affiliated with or affiliated with them, as this has a profound impact in fueling crises and sowing division among the people of one nation.
We appeal to all Syrian national and democratic forces, who believe in the unity and diversity of Syria, to intervene immediately and wisely to stop the bloodshed in Syria, and to prevent the spread of this strife to other regions of the country.
For our part, we affirm that the solution lies in moving towards a democratic, pluralistic, decentralized Syria that guarantees rights and freedoms, and closes the doors to internal conflicts that are exploited by the enemies of the Syrian people and their schemes.
Women’s Protection Units (YPJ): ‘Martyrs like Mother Fouziya light our path’
We have been closely monitoring the recent attacks carried out by the gangs of the Syrian Interim Government against our Druze people. We strongly condemn these illegal assaults that defy human ethics, as they target civilians, including women and children. At the same time, these unrestrained attacks aim to loot villages, violate human dignity, and destroy the culture of the Druze people. The ancient and rich culture of the Druze community is an inseparable part of Syria’s diverse mosaic heritage.
As a result of these brutal assaults, the local people have sought to preserve their culture and dignity. In doing so, they exercised their legitimate right to self-defense, which led to clashes in several areas. Many individuals who are deeply rooted in their land lost their lives during these confrontations.
We, as the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to the wounded. We consider these attacks a serious threat to the construction of a democratic Syria that safeguards the unity of all its peoples and components. These assaults stem from a dominant patriarchal mindset and represent a grave danger to all communities of the region. Undoubtedly, those responsible attempt to justify these acts under the guise of regional security, yet in doing so, they undermine Syria’s security on the global stage and endanger the peace and stability of the entire region.
In the face of this, our Druze people continue to resist and rightfully exercise their legitimate right to self-defense. No issue, regardless of its nature, can justify such barbaric attacks. For the sake of regional peace and security, we call on all Syrian forces to resolve their issues through dialogue. To open the door for such dialogue, it is essential to unify the front of women and peoples. Therefore, we once again call on all parties to work together in resolving Syria’s issues and building a democratic Syria.
In the village of Al-Dour in the province of Suwayda, many lives were lost due to ongoing attacks and fierce clashes. Several women were also abducted by the attackers. Among those who were subjected to brutal assault, Mother Fouziya Fakhr Al-Din Al-Sharani took an honorable and courageous stand. She defended her dignity and willpower, protecting her neighborhood and village from these barbaric gangs. This rebellious and fierce warrior woman killed six gang members during the clashes and fought until her last bullet.
The stance of this mother serves as a call to all components of the Syrian people — especially women — to protect and organize themselves. Without legitimate self-defense, there can be no talk of a free, safe, and dignified life. We bow with reverence and respect before the immortal martyr Fouziya Fakhr Al-Din Al-Sharani, honoring her memory with the utmost gratitude. Martyrs like Mother Fouziya light our path and guide us on our journey toward a democratic Syria.
YPJ: ‘We are ready to confront all dark forces that target women’
We strongly condemn and denounce the massacre being carried out against the Druze people, and we reaffirm our solidarity with the women and civilians affected. Once again, the extremist jihadist groups, under the leadership of the Damascus government, have targeted innocent civilians. This violence is systematic and directed against the Druze community. The massacres and brutal assaults on women are a direct threat to human dignity and women’s freedom.
We, the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), firmly condemn these heinous attacks. The targeting and abduction of women, children, and civilians is incompatible with any moral or human principle. Such acts are enemies of diversity, the freedom of peoples, and the very existence of women. The Druze people are not alone. As women fighters, we are fully prepared to stand against any aggression targeting the will of the people, the right to life, and the belief in freedom.
If called upon, we are ready to confront all dark forces that target women. In order to protect Druze women and civilians, we will shoulder all responsibilities placed upon us without hesitation. As the Women’s Protection Units, standing against attacks on women and oppressed peoples wherever they may be is not only our duty — it is the foundation of our existence.
Those responsible for the massacres committed against Druze women must be held accountable, the perpetrators must be prosecuted, and justice must be served. The struggle for the brotherhood of peoples, women’s freedom, and interfaith coexistence must not be allowed to take even a single step backward. We stand with the Druze people. Women will never be silent, and they will never bow their heads.
Women, Life, Freedom.
Ecosocialism 2025
