Syrian Consul-General in Dubai, Dr. Ziad Zahreddine, announced his defection from the Syrian Transitional Government in a video statement earlier today, October 19th, 2025. Zahreddine accused the government of genocide and ethnic cleansing, citing a "barbaric" assault on Suwayda in July. According to Zahreddine's statement, the July operation was planned at the highest levels in Damascus and executed by HTS forces in coordination with ISIS, utilizing members recruited from Bedouin tribes. He further declared his support for the Druze aspiration for self-determination in "Jabal Bashan" and for the leadership of Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri. He also called for an end to the use of humanitarian aid as a political weapon and for the liberation of Druze hostages and occupied villages. Dr. Zahreddine, who is a Druze from Suwayda, was originally appointed by Assad and retained his post by the STG for continuity after the collapse of the previous regime. The report notes his family hails from al-Sawra al-Kubra, one of the occupied villages.
