Suwayda coup d'état attempt

Suwayda coup d'état attempt
Part of the Third Southern Syrian clashes and the Druze insurgency in Southern Syria of the Syrian Conflict
Date29 November 2025
Location
Result

Coup d'état attempt failed

  • Arrests and killings of coup plotters between 29 November 2025 and 1 December 2025[2]
Belligerents
Commanders and leaders
Raed al-Matni (POW)
Assem Abo Fakhr (POW)
Gandhi Abo Fakhr (POW)
Maher Falhout (POW)
Hussam Zeidan (POW)
Zeidan Zeidan (POW)
Alameddine Zeidan (POW)
Supported by:
Suleiman Abdul Baqi
Hikmat Salman al-Hijri
Units involved
Ahrar Jabal al-Arab Gathering National Guard
Internal Security Forces

The Suwayda coup d'état attempt refers to the coup d'état attempt by a Pro-government Druze group to overthrow Sheikh Hikmat Salman al-Hijri, the leading Head of the Supreme Legal Committee in Suwayda.[1][3][4]

Background

On 28 November 2025, one day before the coup d'état attempt, clashes broke out between the Syrian Armed Forces and the National Guard in Al-Majdal.[5] On the same day people were already arrested, the National Guard claims they arrested "traitors and conspirators".[6][7]

Process

Gandhi Abo Fakhr and his group attempted to storm the government building and police headquarters of the Committee, which failed due that Forces of the National Guard that were inside the government building intervened, the coup plotters were pursued to the main street, and a number of them were arrested, with that order was restored in the street.[1]

Aftermath

After the failed attempt, the National Guard arrested the participating people behind the coup d'état attempt, between the 29 November and the 1 December. All that were directly involved were arrested like Raed al-Matni, Assem Abo Fakhr, Gandhi Abo Fakhr, Maher Falhout who surrendered after a raid on his home in the town of Atil, Hussam Zeidan, Zeidan Zeidan and Alameddine Zeidan. After the arresting of the plotters, the National Guard issued a statement about the failed coup d'état attempt where they claimed that Suleiman Abdul Baqi and the Syrian government coordinated with the plotters. Two days later on 3 December 2025, Maher Falhout and Raed al-Matni died due the torture of the National Guard when they were in there custody. On the same day it became known that the National Guard raided Baqi's house on the 29 November, at the time both his children and wife were present in the house.[12]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Claimed by the National Guard[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Security campaign in Sweida... accusations of "coup de eta" attempt, storming government building". Hawar News Agency. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  2. ^ Noonan, Fiona (December 3, 2025). "Iran Update, December 2, 2025".
  3. ^ a b ""National Guard" Carries Out Arrest Campaign in Suwayda". www.welattv.net.
  4. ^ a b "Arrests in Syria's Sweida Target Group Plotting 'Coup' against Hijri". Asharq Al-Awsat. 1 December 2025. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  5. ^ "Suwayda: Exchange of Fire Between Defense Forces and National Guard-ARK NEWS". www.arknews.net.
  6. ^ "Suwayda, the "National Guard" accuses detainees of "conspiring with Damascus"". Enab Baladi. November 30, 2025.
  7. ^ "Arrests in Suwayda to "foil a coup" against al-Hijri". Enab Baladi. November 30, 2025.
  8. ^ "Body of Sheikh Raed al-Matni Arrives at Suweida Hospital Two Days After Arrest". Al-Masdar. The Syrian Observer. 2 December 2025. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  9. ^ "2 Syrian religious figures killed by Druze outlaw groups in Suwayda after 2 days of detention". www.aa.com.tr.
  10. ^ A.Ş, Yeni Şafak Gazetecilik. "Druze cleric killed in Syria's Suwayda after detention by armed faction". Yeni Şafak.
  11. ^ Sharawi, Ahmad (December 2, 2025). "Instability grows in Syria's Druze heartland as 'National Guard' militia arrests opponents".
  12. ^ [1][3][4][8][9][10][11]