Sweida, Jan. 29 (SANA) Sweida Director of Internal Security, Suleiman Abdul-Baqi, said the United States does not support any separatist projects in Syria and is not backing groups spreading false claims to local residents. He dismissed recent allegations by the so-called Hikmat al-Hajri as “illusions.”
Speaking in an interview with Al Arabiya on Wednesday, Abdul-Baqi detailed his recent visit to Washington, where he held meetings with U.S. officials in Congress, the White House, the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, and the Atlantic Council, as well as Henry Grossman, director of the Syria desk at the Pentagon. The discussions focused on developments in Syria generally and Sweida specifically.
According to Abdul-Baqi, the meetings centered on supporting Syrian state institutions, enforcing the rule of law, addressing violations that hindered government work, and tackling militias involved in drug trafficking. He said the U.S. administration reaffirmed its policy of supporting Syria’s territorial unity and confirmed that it does not back any group seeking to divide the country or create parallel entities.
Abdul-Baqi stressed that President Ahmad al-Sharaa is a guarantor of Syria’s unity and underscored the importance of restoring full security and state authority in Sweida while countering militia attempts to monopolize decision-making and destabilize the local population.
He described Sweida as divided between two currents: militias loyal to al-Hajri pushing a separatist agenda, and the majority of residents who reject such projects and support Syria’s unity. He warned that civilians aligned with the state’s position face ongoing threats from armed groups.
Abdul-Baqi said the Syrian government is pursuing dialogue with all parties to dismantle separatist initiatives and warned that those responsible for crimes against residents will be held accountable, noting that some have already been detained.
He concluded that decisive statements would be issued soon to clarify allegations of U.S. support for separatism and said channels remain open to safeguard Syria’s territorial unity and prevent escalation.
R.H
