Druze-government split leaves Sweida students unable to sit exams

A widening confrontation between the post-Assad Syrian government and the Druze-controlled parts of Sweida province is preventing the majority of local students from sitting high-school and university entrance exams. After mass killings last year and the withdrawal of Syrian troops, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajari declared his territory part of Israel and barred government forces, forming a National Guard militia. Government offers to send proctors or move exams to government-held northern Sweida have been dismissed as security threats, and armed groups allegedly targeted buses carrying students.

Only 150 of 13,700 pupils managed to take exams, leaving the rest, including architecture student Maram Abu Hamra, in limbo. The stalemate reflects broader mistrust of President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s promises to protect Druze rights and underscores the region’s ongoing instability.