“They Are Killing Us and Calling Us ‘Rogue Elements'”: The Druze Community in Syria Calls for Help
Rising Tensions Between Druze and Syrian Government
Recent weeks have seen a significant escalation in tensions between the Druze community in Syria and the government under newly installed president Ahmad al-Sher’aa (Abu Muhammad al-Jolani). Reports indicate that at least 73 people have been killed in violent confrontations. While the Syrian government denies any connection to the violent attacks against Druze, the community’s leader, Sheikh Hikmat al-Jari, has sharply criticized the regime, calling for “urgent international assistance” and denouncing the “unjustifiable massacre” that has been perpetrated against them.
Community Leaders’ Rhetoric Against the Government
Sheikh al-Jari condemned the al-Sher’aa administration, asserting, “They operate under the premise that all minorities, sects, and other religions are infidels. The people and our dead were never ‘gangs’ and will never be.” He expressed the need for a constitution that establishes juststart and lays foundations for progress, emphasizing a loss of trust in an organization that claims to be a government.
The ongoing violence has reportedly begun following the release of an audio recording derogatory to the Prophet Muhammad, attributed to a Druze sheikh. Despite his denial of involvement, the incident has triggered violent unrest, particularly in the town of Jaramana, a mixed community bordering Damascus.
Ongoing Violent Clashes
Following the unrest in Jaramana, additional reports of confrontations surfaced in the Kanafakh area in the western Suwayda region of Syria between Druze residents and armed groups. While the Druze were successful in repelling an attack on their village, other cities that faced severe unrest recently have shown relative calm.
Over the past few days, violent clashes have unfolded in various locations, including the city of Ashrafiyah Sahnaya near Damascus. The Syrian government insists that the armed groups attacking Druze communities are not affiliated with it, but local sources assert otherwise.
Efforts to Establish Ceasefires
Late reports indicate that following a meeting in the Damascus area involving governors from Quneitra, Suwayda, and other regions—including Druze leaders—a preliminary ceasefire agreement for Jaramana and Ashrafiyah Sahnaya has been reached. A joint committee is expected to take shape to address the violence and foster stability.
Druze Community’s Relationship with Israel
The Druze community in Syria, numbering over half a million, has deep familial ties with their counterparts in Israel. This connection raises significant concerns among Israeli Druze leadership regarding the safety of their relatives across the border. The Israeli government assured Druze leaders in Israel, particularly Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif, that it would make every effort to prevent massacres within the Druze population in Syria.
Israel has previously committed humanitarian support, including medical aid and food supplies, to areas near the border. In recent developments, Israeli airstrikes targeted militant group positions believed to be preparing to launch further attacks against the Druze, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held an urgent meeting concerning the situation.
Diplomatic and Military Response
Interior Minister Moshe Arbel has called on Prime Minister Netanyahu for immediate action to stop what he described as a massacre, advocating for both diplomatic and military responses. The Syrian regime, attempting to unify all compstartnts of Syrian society, continues to face internal strains, particularly from minority groups like the Druze.
In the wake of the recent violence, the situation remains precarious, with implications for broader regional dynamics and humanitarian concerns.
For further information or to stay updated on this developing situation, readers may want to keep an eye on reliable news sources and government statements.
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