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<div class="gmail-inner-article-top"><h1 class="gmail-">Syria's Druze: Caught between old loyalties and new threats </h1><p class="gmail-">In
HTS-governed Syria, the Druze community faces an uncertain future –
caught between Salafi extremist rule, Israeli overtures, and their
historical fight for self-preservation. Whether they secure autonomy or
become geopolitical pawns, their next move will impact the region.</p><div class="gmail-another-name"><p><a href="https://thecradle.co/authors/musa-ozugurlu" style="color:rgb(164,4,4)">Musa Ozugurlu</a></p></div><div class="gmail-another-name" style="margin-top:16px"><p><span style="color:rgb(84,88,94)">MAR 3, 2025 - </span><font size="1"><a href="https://thecradle.co/articles/syrias-druze-caught-between-old-loyalties-and-new-threats">https://thecradle.co/articles/syrias-druze-caught-between-old-loyalties-and-new-threats</a></font></p></div></div><div class="gmail-inner-article-img"><img src="https://thecradle-main.oss-eu-central-1.aliyuncs.com/public/articles/9303103a-f853-11ef-b2fd-00163e02c055.jpeg" alt="" width="446" height="211" style="margin-right: 0px;"><span>Photo Credit: The Cradle</span></div><div class="gmail-inner-article-content"><div class="gmail-row"><div class="gmail-col-md-8 gmail-col-sm-7"><div class="gmail-article-content"><span><p><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">The
Druze neighborhood of Jaramana, near Damascus, was the first bloody
flashpoint in the latest developments concerning this Syrian minority
community. On 1 March, Hayat Tahrir</span><i><span lang="TR" dir="ltr"> </span></i><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">al-Sham</span><i><span lang="TR" dir="ltr"> </span></i><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">(HTS)-led security forces and the Druze </span><a href="https://thecradle.co/articles-id/29164"><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">clashed</span></a><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">
for the first time, resulting in one death and nine injuries. What
unfolds next will have profound implications, especially in Suwayda and
its surrounding areas, where the Druze community is densely
concentrated.</span></p><p><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">Understanding the
evolving dynamic between the Druze and the new Syrian administration is
impossible without factoring in Israel's recent </span><a href="https://thecradle.co/articles/syrian-druze-take-to-the-streets-of-suwayda-in-protest-against-israeli-turkish-occupation"><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">maneuvers</span></a><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">
in Syria. Tel Aviv has been working to establish a legal and
operational foothold in southern Syria under the guise of supporting the
Druze. This shift in policy saw Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu instruct the Israeli military to “protect” a community that
had long resisted Israeli overtures.</span></p><p><span lang="TR" dir="ltr"><strong>A history of resistance and hard choices </strong></span></p><p><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">This
is not the first time Syria's Druze have faced a historical crossroads.
Nearly a century ago, the French offered them autonomy, an attractive
proposition that was ultimately rejected. Instead, they fiercely
resisted French rule between 1925 and 1927, and later played a
significant role in Syria's fight for independence in 1947 under the
leadership of Sultan Pasha al-Atrash. Now, the Druze find themselves at
another pivotal moment, but the conditions have changed dramatically.</span></p><p><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">The regime change war in Syria, which spanned nearly 14 years, culminated in the </span><a href="https://thecradle.co/articles/hts-declares-end-of-syrian-government-as-extremists-swarm-damascus"><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">collapse</span></a><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">
of the government of former president Bashar al-Assad last December.
Virtually all civilian actors who shaped the early uprising have been
sidelined. </span></p><p><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">In their place, HTS, a
former Al-Qaeda affiliate that few expected to reach power, has taken
control. With Idlib as its launching pad, HTS's rapid territorial gains
bear the hallmarks of Israeli involvement. Now, Israel is deepening its
influence in southern Syria, with the Druze emerging as a key target in
its broader strategic calculations.</span></p><p><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">For
the Druze, history presents both a challenge and an opportunity. The
community has long grappled with tensions, not only with Salafi
extremist factions that, from the earliest days of the uprising, derided
the Druze way of life, but also with the Syrian government. From the
very first days of the war, the extremists were disparaging the
community in Deraa mosques with refrains such as, “Druze women in
Suwayda are walking around in skirts.” </span></p><p><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">While some Druze commanders, like the late </span><a href="https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2017/10/18/Brigadier-General-Issam-Zahreddine-Commander-of-Syrian-forces-killed-in-Deir-al-Zor"><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">Issam Zahreddin</span></a><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">e,
fought on behalf of the Syrian army in the past, younger Druze largely
opted to withdraw to their own regions rather than fight for Assad.
Recognizing this reality, Assad conceded to their demands. </span></p><p><span lang="TR" dir="ltr"><strong>The struggle for autonomy </strong></span></p><p><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">Roughly
18 months before his fall, Druze in Suwayda openly rebelled against
Assad's government in Damascus, raising the banners of democracy and
freedom. But with HTS now in control, the Druze are reassessing their de
facto semi-autonomy, and are seeking full autonomy instead.</span></p><p><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">The
Druze remain wary of their new Islamist overlords in Damascus. Their
deep-rooted secular values make them resist external interference,
particularly from extremist factions whose austere vision of society is
fundamentally at odds with their way of life. </span></p><p><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">The administration of President </span><a href="https://thecradle.co/articles/ahmad-al-sharaa-named-transitional-president-of-syria-constitution-dissolved"><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">Ahmad al-Sharaa</span></a><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">
does not reflect the diverse fabric of Syrian society, and unlike in
Assad’s era, the Druze now face outright exclusion from power. Their
security concerns have also escalated. </span></p><p><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">Past traumas, including HTS’s </span><a href="https://npasyria.com/en/116729/"><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">land seizures in Idlib</span></a><span lang="TR" dir="ltr"> and the </span><a href="https://joshualandis.com/blog/the-massacre-of-druze-villagers-in-qalb-lawza-idlib-province/"><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">2015 Qalb Loze massacre</span></a><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">
in which 30 Druze were killed by Nusra Front (precursor to HTS)
militants, have made them deeply cautious. HTS has also pressured Druze
communities to convert to Sunni Islam. Furthermore, the fate of Syria's
Alawite minority, who suffered massacres and rights violations after
surrendering their arms, serves as a grim warning.</span></p><p><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">The
Druze's sole purpose today, as in history, is to protect
themselves. The community has long brandished the motto “protecting the
land and the after (honor).” In other words, they act with the dual
intention of protecting both their own geography and their people from
all kinds of threats.</span></p><p><span lang="TR" dir="ltr"><strong>Refusing to disarm </strong></span></p><p><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">For
these reasons, the Druze have refused to disarm or allow HTS forces to
enter their regions without constitutional guarantees. Their resistance
was evident in Jaramana, where the community openly barred HTS militants
from entering their district.</span></p><p><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">While united in their goal of self-preservation, they are not monolithic in their approach. Speaking to </span><i><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">The Cradle</span></i><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">, Syrian journalist Sarkis Kassargian identifies three key Druze factions: </span></p><p>The first is <a href="https://thecradle.co/articles/us-lawmaker-discusses-suwayda-protests-with-druze-religious-leader"><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">Maher Sharaf al-Din’s</span></a><span lang="TR" dir="ltr"> faction, which enjoys backing from certain Arab states but has lost credibility due to its ties with the new administration. </span></p><p><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">The second is </span><a href="https://www.meforum.org/mef-online/the-situation-in-al-suwayda-and-the-new-syria-a-rijal-al-karama-perspective"><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">Rijal al-Karami</span></a><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">
(“Men of Dignity”), led by Leith Al-Balous, a militia that prioritizes
Druze self-defense while maintaining distance from the HTS government. </span></p><p><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">The third is the </span><a href="https://www.newarab.com/news/what-suweida-military-council-and-why-did-it-appear-now"><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">Suwayda Military Council</span></a><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">
(SMC), an organization of former Syrian army officers that was
officially announced in February but has been active for over two years.
Led by Tariq al-Shafi, the SMC consists of approximately 900 former
officers, NCOs, and soldiers, and its mission is to protect the Druze,
curb smuggling, and prevent extremist infiltration. </span></p><p><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">Some reports claim the SMC has received tacit approval from spiritual leader </span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/12/world/middleeast/syira-druse-diplomacy.html"><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajari</span></a><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">, the most influential Druze cleric in Syria. </span><span style="color:black"><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">Later,
Al-Hajari's side announced that he would remain “equidistant” from all
of the factions as his main role was “religious and not political.” The
cleric's support of any one of these groups can bestow instant
legitimacy - such is his clout in the closed Syrian Druze community.</span></span></p><p><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">The
second important dynamic is the faction of Maher Sharaf al-Din and his
supporters, which has the smallest number of adherents but has secured
support from some key Arab states. </span></p><p><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">Notably,
Sharaf al-Din was residing in Qatar – a major supporter of the regime
change war against Syria – before being summoned back home by HTS's
Sharaa. It is, however, his good relations with the new administration
that significantly reduces his chances to lead the Druze. Like
Sharaa, Sharaf al-Din invokes talking points that emphasize the
“territorial integrity” of Syria. </span></p><p><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">Sharaf
al-Din’s reception at the People's Palace by Sharaa, along with the
statements he made following the visit – and his appearances with
diplomatic representatives from certain Arab countries – indicate that
he maintains a cooperative relationship with the new government. This
alignment is further reflected in his </span><a href="https://x.com/mahersharafeddi"><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">posts</span></a><span lang="TR" dir="ltr"> on X, which many believe have the backing of Turkiye.</span></p><p><span lang="TR" dir="ltr"><strong>The Druze in a web of regional interests </strong></span></p><p><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">Kassargian
points out that the US-backed Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)
has shown interest in the Druze cause, and that Kurdish representatives
visited Suwayda months before the Military Council was officially
formed. While no formal alliance exists, the similarity between the
SMC's </span><a href="https://thecradle.co/articles-id/29073"><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">flag</span></a><span lang="TR" dir="ltr"> and that of the Kurdish region suggests a degree of ideological alignment. </span></p><p><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">In these developments, Israel sees an opportunity. As Syrian journalist Somer Sultan emphasizes to </span><i><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">The Cradle</span></i><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">,
the occupation state seeks to prevent another “Axis of Resistance” from
forming among the Druze, as it once did under Lebanese Druze
revolutionary </span><a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2015/12/21/middleeast/lebanese-militant-samir-kuntar-dead/index.html"><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">Samir Kuntar</span></a><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">, who was assassinated by Israel in 2015. </span></p><p><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">Netanyahu’s
rhetoric on southern Syria reveals Tel Aviv’s desire to establish a
pliable Druze ally. Jordan may become a key player if a Druze-controlled
border crossing in Suwayda is opened – an old demand that Damascus has
promised to consider, says Sultan. </span></p><p><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">If
realized, this crossing could serve as an economic lifeline for the
Druze, bypassing the Nasib crossing in Deraa. However, Jordan’s stance
remains unclear, and Israel could exert pressure on Amman to block the
initiative.</span></p><p>Tariq al-Ahmet, one of the leaders of the
Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP), visited Suwayda approximately
1.5 years ago after the anti-Assad demonstrations began in Suwayda and
again after Assad was overthrown.</p><p><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">“As
political parties,” he says, "we formed a joint committee and visited
and held meetings with various places in the country. We also met with
Mazlum Abdi in Hasakah in various provinces and places such as Suwayda
and Damascus. We also visited Suwayda and met with Sheikh Hikmet
al-Hajari, Sheikh Hinnavi, and Sheikh Cerbu. In other words, these are
the ‘Sheikhs of Reason’ [in the Druze community, clerics are called
‘Sheikh al-Aql’ – which translates to ‘Sheikhs of Reason’].”</span></p><p><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">But
Ahmet draws attention to the fact that Israel attacked the Syrian army
immediately after Damascus fell and that the army was then disbanded by
the successive rulers. Despite the pontifications of HTS, he tells </span><i><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">The Cradle:</span></i><span lang="TR" dir="ltr"> </span></p><blockquote><p><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">“There is simply no army to protect the unity of Syria anymore." </span></p></blockquote><p><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">He
adds: “The Arab countries with whom we have a defense agreement,
and Turkiye, which directs this administration, do nothing, and there is
no serious activity to protect Syrian lands from Israeli aggression.”</span></p><p><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">“This
situation is very dangerous,” Ahmet stresses. “The idea of some
Syrian groups establishing relations with Israel and the idea of
separation is being heavily advanced by some parties.” Today, however,
the main powers in Suwayda do not want separation and want to stay with
their own country.</span></p><p><span lang="TR" dir="ltr"><strong>Israeli calculations and the Druze factor </strong></span></p><p><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">According
to Sultan, in addition to external calculations, the occupation state
treats the Syrian Druze differently than the Alawites in order not to
lose the support of the Palestinian Druze, who carry Israeli citizenship
and are Tel Aviv's </span><a href="https://thecradle.co/articles-id/24127"><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">frontline troops</span></a><span lang="TR" dir="ltr"> on many of its borders.</span></p><blockquote><p><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">“In
the past few years, Israel has managed to weakened the resistance
project that developed among the Druze under the command of Lebanese
Druze revolutionary Samir Kuntar with the support of Hezbollah. He was
killed by Israel along with Jihad al-Mughniye, the son of Hezbollah’s
legendary commander Imad Mughniyeh)”</span></p></blockquote><p><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">A
century after rejecting foreign-imposed autonomy, the Druze once again
face a historic decision. They face a situation where power is
fragmented, and alliances are fluid. While internal divisions persist,
their collective goal remains unchanged: securing their survival and
autonomy. </span></p><p><span lang="TR" dir="ltr">The outcome of this
struggle will shape not only the future of Syria’s Druze but also the
broader geopolitical balance in West Asia. Whether they manage to carve
out an independent path or become pawns in a larger game, the next
chapter of Druze history in Syria is being written in real-time.</span></p></span></div></div></div></div>
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