The “Suwayda Is One of Us” campaign concluded its activities after collecting $14.6 million in pledges, according to the Suwayda Governorate, which organized the initiative.
The campaign brought together ministers and local dignitaries from Suwayda and Daraa, including Governor Mustafa al-Bakur, Minister of Emergency and Disasters Raed al-Saleh, Minister of Health Musab al-Ali, Daraa Governor Anwar al-Zoubi, Sheikh Laith al-Balous, and Suwayda’s security chief Suleiman Abdul Baqi.
Raed al-Saleh told Enab Baladi that the initiative reflects “the authenticity and generosity of the Syrian people,” adding that it extends the spirit of previous campaigns aimed at rebuilding the country. He affirmed the government’s commitment to restoring national unity among all Syrians.
Former “Men of Dignity Forces” commander Sheikh Laith al-Balous told Enab Baladi that the message of the campaign is that “Suwayda is one of us,” reaffirming the “patriotic stance” of its residents and emphasizing that “there is no homeland for Suwayda’s people but Syria.” He added that efforts are underway to return displaced residents to their homes.
Transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa called for donations to the campaign in a recorded message broadcast during the event. He also held phone conversations with Sheikh al-Balous and Suwayda’s security chief Suleiman Abdel-Baqi, stressing the need to hold accountable those responsible for violations against civilians during the July clashes, and promising an imminent development drive in Suwayda.
In his opening speech, Governor al-Bakur described the campaign as “a national and moral message” that strengthens trust between citizens and the state. “Suwayda has always been in Syria’s heart, and Syria has always been in Suwayda’s heart,” he said.
Speaking earlier to the state-run Al-Ikhbariya Channel, al-Bakur noted that the campaign will restore water wells, 50 schools, 35 mosques, 50 Druze houses of worship, and 15 churches, as part of efforts to improve basic services for all communities.
He added that it also includes renovating around 20,000 homes, 40 municipalities, cultural centers, streets, and power grids, and equipping the Smeeh power station to enhance public services.
The governor said Suwayda’s poor services were not due to government neglect but to “internal positions taken by some local parties,” stressing that the campaign aims to overcome these obstacles and improve citizens’ quality of life.
The campaign followed deadly clashes in July involving local factions, government forces, and tribal fighters, which ended with a Syrian-Israeli agreement. However, control in the province remains divided, with local factions holding the provincial center and parts of the countryside, while government forces control the western rural areas.
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