In a televised address, Syrian interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa emphasized the significance of the Druze people in the nation and condemned external interventions exacerbating local conflicts.
Syria’s Interim Leader Promises to Safeguard Druze Amid Heightened Sectarian Tensions
Syria’s Interim Leader Promises to Safeguard Druze Amid Heightened Sectarian Tensions
The Syrian government pledges its commitment to protect the Druze community following escalating violence and Israeli military responses.
The situation in Syria's Suweida province has drawn considerable international attention as violence spirals, with over 350 lives reportedly lost since sectarian clashes ignited between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes. Ahmed al-Sharaa’s recent address highlighted the government’s priority in safeguarding the Druze community, which mirrors fears of external threats following Israeli military strikes targeting the Assad regime.
Following Israel’s air strikes, which prompted military responses within Syria, al-Sharaa reaffirmed government efforts to restore stability by announcing a withdrawal of troops from Suweida, a predominantly Druze city, under a ceasefire agreement. The conflict escalated when local factions accused the military of conducting dangerous operations that resulted in civilian casualties.
Notably, the Druze community has experienced longstanding mistrust towards al-Sharaa since his rise, given his affiliation with the jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which remains listed as terrorist by the United Nations. His commitment to preserving Druze safety was stressed in his declaration that the community was integral to the nation’s composition and not to be leveraged by “external parties”.
Al-Sharaa’s government, he asserted, is dedicated to accountability for violence against Druze citizens. Meanwhile, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced support for the Druze citizens in Israel, stating military actions aim to protect them from Syrian regime “gangs.”
The Israeli military confirmed multiple strikes against Syrian military installations, while emphasizing that its operations intend to secure the border and prevent hostile establishment in southern Syria. The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, mentioned collaborative efforts to de-escalate the tense situation but withheld specifics on potential actions.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has estimated casualties at over 350, with victims spanning from government troops to tribal factions, emphasizing the humanitarian toll of the conflicts. The international community remains watchful of this precarious situation as discussions for resolution continue.
