The Druze armed forces in southern Syria announced the implementation of "national autonomy" in Suwayda province, which is essentially a semi-independent status! The plan began on July 25th, and it was a full transition into an autonomous state under the support of Israel. The conflict in the southern region of Syria that started on July 14th was extremely fierce. The fighting lasted until around July 21st. During this one week, various armed groups in the southern region of Syria engaged in a series of dramatic battles.
First, there was a conflict between the Bedouins and the Druze. Then the Bedouins requested the Joulani armed group to move south to help with the fighting. As a result, the Joulani armed group quickly mobilized a large force, entered the Suwayda province of the Druze armed forces, and began a large-scale cleansing of the Druze armed forces and personnel. Upon seeing the Druze in an absolute disadvantage, Israel immediately became unwilling.
Israeli Air Force began a large-scale bombing of the Joulani armed group, and even bombed the defense building and the general staff building in Damascus, the capital of Syria. In order to avoid being bombed, Joulani had to hastily leave Damascus and flee to Idlib in northern Syria, which is the stronghold of Sulayman. Afterward, Joulani made a speech throughout Syria, which was effectively an indirect admission of defeat. Joulani ordered his armed forces to withdraw from the Suwayda province in the southern region of Syria, and the order was quickly executed.
Afterward, other small armed groups in Syria with no clear affiliation, together with the Bedouin armed forces, moved back to the southern region of Syria to fight against the Druze armed forces. After several days of fighting, the situation ended. Finally, the Druze armed forces successfully defended the Suwayda province and gained an absolute advantage.
Naturally, all of this was carried out under the support of Israel. Within 12 days, the Druze armed forces declared that the Suwayda province would enter an autonomous state, which is essentially no different from a semi-independent state, and indirectly constitutes a process towards independence. Because any faction seeking independence must first declare autonomy, then hold a referendum, and finally declare independence; this is a gradual process.
In other words, the Joulani armed group's actions successfully separated the Suwayda province. Whether the Suwayda province will truly become independent in the future is uncertain. However, if the Suwayda province declares independence, the Kurdish autonomous region in the northeast of Syria will certainly respond, possibly declaring independence together, which could lead to a dangerous situation.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1838670094432327/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.