National Guard (Suwayda)
Druze military coalition in Suwayda, Syria
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The National Guard (Arabic: الحرس الوطني, romanized: al-Ḥaras al-Waṭanī) is a Druze paramilitary group and united front based in Suwayda Governorate, southern Syria. It was announced on 23 August 2025 as a unified force of multiple local factions to coordinate military and security efforts in the governorate.
| National Guard | |
|---|---|
| قوَّات الحرس الوطنيّ | |
Logo of the National Guard Forces | |
| Founder | Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri[1] |
| Leader | Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri (spiritual leader, recognized authority)[2] |
| Military leader | Jalaa Abu Daqqa[3] |
| Spokesperson | Talal Amer[4] |
| Dates of operation | 23 August 2025 – present |
| Merger of | Over 40 Druze militias |
| Country |  Syria |
| Allegiance |  Administrative Council of Jabal Bashan (2026–present)[citation needed][a] |
| Motives |
|
| Headquarters | Sweida Governorate |
| Status | Active |
| Size | 4,000–5,000 (claimed at the founding)[6] c. 12,000 (September 2025 estimate)[7] |
| Allies |  Israel[8] |
| Opponents | Syrian transitional government |
| Battles and wars | |
Formation
On 23 August 2025, amid a wave of clashes and instability in Southern Syria, a number of armed groups in Suwayda issued statements declaring their merger under the umbrella of the "National Guard".
According to their founding declaration, the move was intended to create "an organized and solid force entrusted with protecting the mountain and its people".[12][13]
The groups emphasized their "absolute commitment to the decisions of the spiritual leadership represented by Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri".[b]
Objectives
The National Guard declared itself as the "official military institution representing the Druze community" in the governorate. Its announced primary objectives include:[12][13]
- Unifying local armed factions into a single command structure.
- Defending Suwayda and the Druze community against external threats.
- Preserving the Unitarian Druze identity.
- Cooperating with other "auxiliary forces" operating in the region.
Organization
Structure
The National Guard describes itself as a fully merged force rather than a loose coalition. Its leadership has pledged loyalty to the guidance of the Druze spiritual authority in Suwayda, represented by Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri.[12][b] The Institute for the Study of War reported on 25 August that around 40 groups were united to form the National Guard.[15]
Founding groups
The following notable groups endorsed the formation of the National Guard the day it was announced:[16]
- Gathering of the Mountain's Sons
- Mountain Youth Relief
- Mountain Brigade
- Anti-Terrorism Force
- Sheikh al-Karama Forces
- Al-Ulya Forces
- Local Forces
- Mount Tod Forces
- The Conquerors
- Den of the Mountain Forces
- Hamza Knights Forces
- Southern Sun Forces
- Dhiab Hamza Forces
- Al-Fahd Forces
- Guardians of the Frontiers
- Sultan Forces
- Sword of Justice Forces
- Al-Ghayara Relief
- Al-Nashama Relief
- Shield of al-Lajat Forces
- As-Suwayda Operations
- Khayyal Group
- Thunder Banner – Ta'ara
- Shield of the Mountain Forces – Zain al-Din
- Banner Relief – Activated Mountain Tribes
- Druze Protection Units
- Al-Asail Forces
- Unified Army
- Jaysh al-Muwahhidin[17]
- 164th Brigade[18]
The National Guard has been described as a merger of the involved groups.[19]
According to Enab Baladi, other groups that later joined include "Men of Dignity,[c] the Unitarian Popular Resistance, Southern Shield Forces, Mountain Shield Forces, Lions of the Mountain Forces, Shield of Tawhid, Sahwat al-Khedr Shield, Mimas and Tal al-Lawz, Men of al-Lajat and Men of al-Kafr", while the 164th Brigade joined on 24 August.[18] The Suwayda Military Council later joined.[21]
In October 2025, the Institute for the Study of War reported that several Druze factions in Suwayda Governorate continued to join under the banner of the National Guard.[22]
Reactions
Laith al-Balous criticized the group for its ties to the Sword of Justice Forces and the Al-Fahd Forces, noting their ties to Assad-era figures Ali Mamlouk and Kifah Moulhem, as well as drug trafficker Raji Falhout.[20]
Notes
- Replaced the Supreme Legal Committee in Suwayda on 7 April 2026.
- Spiritual leadership of the Druze in Syria is split into two since the 2010s, one is headed by Hikmat al-Hijri, the other is mutually headed by Hammoud al-Hinnawi and Youssef Jarbou.[14]
- The Men of Dignity Movement "initially declined to join the new military formation". Later however, they "issued a statement welcoming the announcement of local factions uniting under an "organized military body", describing it as a necessary step at a time when the Druze community is defending its existence "against covetous invaders".[20]