Druze Community Forms Council for Protection Amidst Syrian Unrest

The Druze community in Syria’s Suwayda is proactive in ensuring their safety by forming the Suwayda Military Council in response to ongoing threats and instability post-Assad. The council seeks to establish a stable, integrated security framework while maintaining its cultural identity against external pressures. The initiative has received mixed reactions from within the community and has garnered international interest, particularly regarding support from Israel.

The Druze community, primarily based in southern Syria’s Suwayda and Jabal al-Druze, is facing challenges due to ongoing conflict and threats to their existence. A small number of Druze communities are also located near the Golan Heights, linking them to larger populations in Syria and Lebanon. The Druze faith is an amalgamation of Islamic, Hindu, and Greek philosophical beliefs, distinguishing them from other Middle Eastern ethnicities. Although many members serve in security forces, they have faced violent attacks, including massacres by ISIS.

In response to the emerging threats following the decline of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, the Druze organized the Suwayda Military Council on February 24. This coalition of local groups is aimed at ensuring the safety of the Druze community amidst persistent oppression. Local Druze leader Ahmed Al Shareef remarked that conditions have remained precarious following the regime’s fall, with many citizens losing governmental support for essential supplies like bread.

The Suwayda Military Council, initially formed as the Interim Military Council in December, arose to stabilize the situation after the Syrian Army’s withdrawal. The council emphasizes a commitment to secularism and democracy while integrating into a unified Syrian army. Notably, some Druze leaders, including spiritual leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajri, oppose this move, labeling it as separatism.

Despite political discussions with interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, who has a controversial past as a former HTS leader, there is considerable skepticism among the Druze community regarding his intentions. Community member Ahmed Al Shareef expressed concerns over al-Sharaa’s lack of transparency and strongman rhetoric, which could undermine the goal of establishing a stable governance framework.

The Suwayda Military Council has adopted a flag mirroring that of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), infused with Druze symbolism. The council has shown a willingness to collaborate with the SDF against common enemies of terrorism and dictatorship while compiling information about former Syrian officers who served under Assad. The council has garnered support from various local factions as it seeks to assert its influence in southern Syria.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has recently stressed the importance of demilitarizing southern Syria, signaling support for the Druze community. Moreover, support for the council has been echoed by local civilians, who view it as a necessary measure for protection and influence over government actions. Some Druze have historically distanced themselves from radical ideologies, with many serving in the Israel Defense Forces, reinforcing their distinct position in the region.

The formation of the Suwayda Military Council is a pivotal development for the Druze community, aiming to enhance local security and protect against governmental oppression. Its emergence reflects broader challenges faced by minority groups in Syria amid political upheaval. The council’s tentative collaborations with other factions signify a strategic approach to securing the Druze’s identity and safety in an increasingly precarious environment.

Original Source: www.ndtv.com