Armed groups block Damascus-Suwayda highway in southern Syria

Armed groups linked to the National Guard in Syria's Suwayda province have completely blocked the Damascus-Suwayda road at the Umm al-Zaytun checkpoint. The closure has disrupted the movement of civilians, students, and travelers, including a convoy of over 300 vehicles, and has impacted the transport of food, essential supplies, and emergency medical cases.

The blockade coincides with escalating tensions involving Druze religious leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajri. U.S. Envoy to Syria and Iraq, Tom Brak, expressed concern regarding a Druze sheikh in southern Syria who he claims is exploiting the perception of Israeli support to “persecute other Druze.” Brak also alleged that Suwayda serves as a center for Captagon production to fund local activities.

In response, the Bashan Mountain administration, associated with al-Hajri, issued a statement rejecting these allegations as “misleading lies” and “baseless fabrications.” The administration denied the drug production claims, instead accusing transnational forces and security agencies of using narcotics to fund chaos and destroy the region.