The abduction of Atif Henidy, a prominent civil activist from Sweida, Syria, known as "Al-Basha," has captivated Syrians in recent days. Commenting on this issue, U.S. envoy to Syria, Tom Barak, expressed serious concern over the escalating violence in the region.
Barak highlighted the presence of gangs filling the governance gap in the Druze-majority province. He noted on "X" (formerly known as Twitter) last Saturday that about a year ago, alongside Syrian Foreign Minister Al-Shibani and Jordanian Foreign Minister Safadi, he signed a tripartite roadmap for peace in Sweida designed to reintegrate the province with dignity. The plan aimed to guarantee all civil rights and responsibilities for Druze residents, emphasizing that this path remains the only way toward a different future instead of a return to sorrow and suffering.
The envoy added that "the absence of governance allows gangs to fill the void," pointing out that a few individuals with toxic motives attacked their own community members, including Atif Henidy, who faced arbitrary arrest and was forced to leave his home.
"Sensitive and Delicate Circumstances"
Barak stressed the importance of "strengthening cooperation between the Druze, Arab tribes, and neighboring countries along Sweida's borders on the principles of tolerance and understanding."
He warned that the situation in the region is sensitive and delicate, urging "all parties to adhere to the two principles essential for peace: restraint and dialogue."
This warning followed an incident last Thursday when armed groups surrounded Henidy's home in the town of Al-Majdal in western Sweida. They attacked with live bullets and threw grenades inside, according to "SANA."
Reports indicated that "the attacking groups managed to storm the house and forcibly took Henidy to one of their headquarters, where he endured torture during his captivity." Henidy was pressured to issue a retraction of his previous criticism of Sheikh Hekmat Al-Hajri's statements about the Druze allegiance to Israel, which he refused.
When Henidy rejected changing his stance, he was forcibly expelled from Sweida and taken to Damascus, where he was placed in a safe location, per official Syrian sources.
Previously, Sweida witnessed intense clashes between Druze-armed groups loyal to Al-Hajri and others affiliated with tribes, leading to a ceasefire agreement since July 2025.
However, some armed groups have repeatedly breached the ceasefire, targeting military positions, while the government has adhered to the agreement, facilitating the evacuation of willing parties and the entry of humanitarian aid.