Druze Life in Syria Precarious

The main topic of news this week has concerned the Druze community in southern Syria. I believe a bit of background is necessary here in order to understand how all this started.

SYRIA & the DRUZE.  A Druze channel gave some background to the trigger to the current situation: “The Bedouin in southern Syria operate a major smuggling trade (in particular drug smuggling into Jordan and Israel).  They often move as an armed force through Druze towns in the area, causing conflict and setting up the Druze as retaliatory targets.  The Druze got fed up with this, and put up armed roadblocks to stop it.  The Bedouin responded violently.”

In mosques in Daraa in southern Syria, a general mobilization was announced, and a declaration of jihad against Druze members of the south Syrian community, while Bedouin tribes, groups and factions were organizing for a renewed battle.

According to Al Jazeera, there has been a major displacement of more than 500 Bedouin families after their homes were burned in Sweida by Druze armed groups following Bedouin attacks and murders of the Druze.

One problem seems to be the fact that Al-Julani is not in control of Syria. There are reports of groups flowing into Syria from Turkey with the stated intention of committed jihad in the Druze community. The IDF is determined to preventing these groups from reaching the Druze communities and has clearly stated its intention to protect the Druze.

Regime head Al-Jolani says: “Syria will not be a place for creating chaos. We will confront attempts to create chaos with unity. We reject any attempt to divide Syria. We are now faced with two options: either confront Israel or reform our internal front. We are assigning local factions and tribal leaders the responsibility of maintaining security in Sweida.  I say to the Druze citizens that your protection is our priority; The state intervened in Sweida to end violations by groups operating outside the law.”

In spite of these statements Syrian regime personnel are disguising official vehicles and heading off to jihad against the Druze. Also tribal jihadis are reportedly demolishing Druze buildings in outer Sweida areas, southern Syria, as their advance continues.

In light of the recent attacks against the Druze in Sweida and the severe humanitarian situation in the region, and in accordance with the needs on the ground - Foreign Minister Gidon Sa’ar ordered the urgent transfer of humanitarian aid to the Druze in Sweida.  The aid package, worth NIS 2 million, will include - among other things - food packages, medical equipment, first aid kits, and medicines.

This is a developing story, it is difficult to predict what will happen next.