The Suwayda Military Council, or Sweida Military Council (SMC), is an armed coalition established in December 2024 in the Druze-majority Suwayda Governorate in southern Syria. Originally formed as the Interim Military Council following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024, the organization emerged in response to growing security concerns after the withdrawal of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) from the region. The group's stated objectives include the advancement of secularism, democracy, and decentralization, protection of civilians and public property from lawlessness, conflict, and to prevent forces under the Syrian Army of Ahmed al-Sharaa's governance from entering Druze settlements and causing harm.[6] Despite using symbols similar to the Syrian Democratic Forces, it is not related, and is composed of armed factions.
On 14 December 2024, following the fall of the Assad regime, the Interim Military Council, formed out of an initial coalition of militia forces in Suwayda, began compiling a comprehensive database of former Syrian Arab Army officers, non-commissioned officers, and personnel from the internal security forces of the Assad regime. The database was created in order to advocate for their rights and salaries.[6]
Formation of Suwayda Military Council
The council was formally announced in February 2025 at Al Kafr Agricultural Airport in southern Suwayda. The initiative was led by a group of defected officers, revolutionaries and retired military personnel in the Suwayda region. The council presented what it described as a "national project" to coordinate military efforts in the region.[7] The council was created with the endorsement of the Sheikh Aql of Syria's Druze community, and supported by two prominent Ahrar al-Sham faction leaders.[which?] As part of its initiatives, the council announced plans to conduct regular meetings to assess potential threats and develop appropriate responses.[8][9]
Commander Tareq Al Shoufi was chosen to serve as the council's principal leader. Prior to his current role, Al Shoufi reportedly represented former Syrian Arab Army officers who aligned with the Druze community during 2023 anti-Assad protests in Suwayda.[10] Al Shoufi defected from the Assad regime in 2015.[11] On 24 February 2025, several local armed groups pledged allegiance to the Military Council, including Nabi Shuaib Forces,[12] Commander of the Faithful Ali bin Abi Talib Forces,[13] and Bayraq Suleiman Bin Daoud Forces.[14] Bayraq Suleiman Bin Daoud Forces leader Majed Najem Abu Ras promoted recruitment efforts for the Military Council.[14] The council is also operating in coordination with Hikmat al-Hijri.[15]
On 26 February, men from the town of Al-Aanat also announced their joining. The Sheikh of the South Forces announced their joining the Suwayda Military Council on the same day.[16]
On 27 February, the Habran Youth Gathering announces its joining of the Suwayda Military Council.[17]
On 28 February, young men from the villages of Al-Haqf and Al-Salamiyah announce their joining of the Military Council in Suwayda.[18]
On 3 March, Umrah youth announce their joining of the Suwayda Military Council.[19]
On 8 March, the Al-Hasm Forces Gathering announces its joining of the Suwayda Military Council.[20]
On 27 April 2025, the military council in Suwayda announced the activation of the Border Guard Brigade and several security headquarters within the city to address threats and protect the region.[21]
During May 2025 clashes in Southern Syria, an ambush in the village of al-Dour resulted in the deaths of two members of the General Security forces and injuries to four others. The incident occurred as security personnel were transporting two injured Suwayda residents who had previously been wounded in clashes on the Suwayda-Damascus highway and had received medical treatment in Daraa Governorate. According to Syrian state media, the ambush was carried out by the Suwayda Military Council. However, the military council denied any role, labeling the claims as part of a media smear campaign.[4]
The council outlined several primary objectives, which included the protection of civilians and public property from violence and destruction, and the advancement of secularism, democracy, and the creation of a new decentralized Syrian state.[6][23][24] The council aims to establish national army that is distinct from the structure and reputation of the current Syrian army, free from foreign influence, and inclusive of all ethnic and national groups in Syria.[7] Al-Shoufi has emphasized the council's support for integration into a newly unified Syrian army while maintaining localized autonomy.[25] The council also aims to cooperate with other security factions in the region to confront any potential security threats, and vowed to prevent new regime forces from entering Druze settlements in Jabal al-Druze and Suwayda.[23]
The Suwayda Military Council has taken a firm stance against what it characterizes as criminal practices perpetrated by the authority of al-Sharaa and Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) across Syria. The council accused the regime of conducting ethnic cleansing operations through forced civilian displacement, destruction of residences, and extrajudicial executions. The council characterized HTS's "methodology of repression and intimidation" as akin to the Assad regime's persecutory and authoritarian tactics. The council has explicitly declared that "there is no place for the HTS militias in the future of Syria," asserting that Syrian citizens who participated in the revolution against injustice must reject any subsequent tyrannical governance, regardless of whether it characterizes itself as revolutionary or authoritarian.[9]
Relations with Syrian Democratic Forces
The SMC initially bore a distinct logo,[26] though several months later it adopted a flag featuring a map of Syria identical to that used by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), modifying it to highlight the Suwayda Governorate while incorporating the Druze five-pointed star. The council has expressed openness to cooperation with the SDF, characterizing it as a force that defended its territory and population against both terrorism and dictatorships.[23][27]
Al-Shoufi thanked everyone who supported the position of the Military Council and contributed to protecting the Druze community and stability of the region.[29] Majed Najem Abu Ras, who leads the Bayraq Suleiman Daoud Forces that have pledged allegiance to the Suwayda Military Council, has previously shared content expressing support for Israel.[25] At the same time, Al-Shoufi has stressed that the new Syrian army must be free from foreign influence.[7]
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