The National Guard (Arabic: الحرس الوطني, romanized:al-Ḥaras al-Waṭanī) is a Druze paramilitary group and united front based in Sweida Governorate, southern Syria. It was announced on 23 August 2025 as a unified force of multiple local factions to coordinate military and security efforts in the governorate.

Formation

On 23 August 2025, amid a wave of clashes and instability in Southern Syria, a number of armed groups in Suwayda issued statements declaring their merger under the umbrella of the "National Guard".

According to their founding declaration, the move was intended to create "an organized and solid force entrusted with protecting the mountain and its people".

The groups emphasized their "absolute commitment to the decisions of the spiritual leadership represented by Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri".

Objectives

The National Guard declared itself as the "official military institution representing the Druze community" in the governorate. Its announced primary objectives include:

  • Unifying local armed factions into a single command structure.
  • Defending Suwayda and the Druze community against external threats.
  • Preserving the Unitarian Druze identity.
  • Cooperating with other "auxiliary forces" operating in the region.

Organization

Structure

The National Guard describes itself as a fully merged force rather than a loose coalition. Its leadership has pledged loyalty to the guidance of the Druze spiritual authority in Suwayda, represented by Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri. The Institute for the Study of War reported on 25 August that around 40 groups were united to form the National Guard.

Founding groups

The following notable groups endorsed the formation of the National Guard the day it was announced:

  1. Gathering of the Mountain's Sons
  2. Mountain Youth Relief
  3. Mountain Brigade
  4. Anti-Terrorism Force
  5. Sheikh al-Karama Forces
  6. Al-Ulya Forces
  7. Local Forces
  8. Mount Tod Forces
  9. The Conquerors
  10. Den of the Mountain Forces
  11. Hamza Knights Forces
  12. Southern Sun Forces
  13. Dhiab Hamza Forces
  14. Al-Fahd Forces
  15. Guardians of the Frontiers
  16. Sultan Forces
  17. Sword of Justice Forces
  18. Al-Ghayara Relief
  19. Al-Nashama Relief
  20. Shield of al-Lajat Forces
  21. As-Suwayda Operations
  22. Khayyal Group
  23. Thunder Banner – Ta'ara
  24. Shield of the Mountain Forces – Zain al-Din
  25. Banner Relief – Activated Mountain Tribes
  26. Druze Protection Units
  27. Al-Asail Forces
  28. Unified Army
  29. Jaysh al-Muwahhidin
  30. 164th Brigade

The National Guard has been described as a merger of the involved groups.

According to Enab Baladi, other groups that later joined include "Men of Dignity, the Unitarian Popular Resistance, Southern Shield Forces, Mountain Shield Forces, Lions of the Mountain Forces, Shield of Tawhid, Sahwat al-Khedr Shield, Mimas and Tal al-Lawz, Men of al-Lajat and Men of al-Kafr", while the 164th Brigade joined on 24 August. The Suwayda Military Council later joined.

In October 2025, the Institute for the Study of War reported that several Druze factions in Suwayda Governorate continued to join under the banner of the National Guard.

Reactions

Laith al-Balous criticized the group for its ties to the Sword of Justice Forces and the Al-Fahd Forces, noting their ties to Assad-era figures Ali Mamlouk and Kifah Moulhem, as well as drug trafficker Raji Falhout.

Notes