A leader of Syria’s Druze minority has voiced strong condemnation of recent violence targeting his community, following intense sectarian clashes in regions south of Damascus that resulted in significant loss of life. Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri characterized the assaults in Jaramana and Sahnaya earlier this week as a “genocidal campaign” against the Druze people residing in Syria.
According to Syria’s Ministry of Information, eleven members of the nation’s security forces were killed in two separate incidents linked to the escalating violence. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a respected monitoring organization based in the United Kingdom, reported that at least 101 individuals perished in the conflicts that involved security personnel, allied fighters, and local Druze groups. Among the deceased, the SOHR documented 30 government loyalists, 21 Druze fighters, and 10 civilians, which included the former mayor of Sahnaya, Husam Warwar.
In the southern province of Sweida, the heartland of the Druze minority, the SOHR indicated that 40 Druze fighters were killed, with a notable number falling victim to an ambush on the Sweida-Damascus road. The clashes initiated late Monday night were reportedly sparked by the circulation of an audio clip on social media that featured a commentary directed against Islam’s Prophet Muhammad. This audio was mistakenly attributed to a Druze scholar, Marwan Kiwan, who publicly disavowed responsibility for the remarks contained in the clip, which incited anger among some Sunni Muslims.
The Syrian government announced, on Wednesday afternoon, that a resolution had been reached between Druze leaders and state representatives, leading to the withdrawal of Druze gunmen from the streets of Sahnaya, allowing security forces and pro-government fighters to enter the area. However, videos circulating on social media revealed disturbing scenes of alleged violence against captured Druze individuals, with reports of sectarian taunts accompanying the assaults.
Sheikh al-Hijri vehemently criticized the situation, stating that the ongoing targeted killings represent a systematic and documented campaign against his community. He expressed a growing distrust in the government, arguing that a legitimate government would not resort to using extremist factions to perpetrate violence against its own citizens.
This rising violence presents a formidable challenge to the newly established authorities, who seized power from long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad in December. The unrest follows a series of grave incidents in March affecting Syria’s Alawite community along the Mediterranean coast, where SOHR reported that security forces and allied groups killed over 1,700 civilians.
In response to the situation, Israeli officials have pledged support for the Druze community. Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that if the new Syrian authorities do not safeguard the Druze, Israel would be compelled to act decisively.
Additionally, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani reiterated Syria’s stance against external interference, emphasizing the importance of national unity as the foundation for stability and societal renewal. He cautioned that any call for foreign intervention would exacerbate divisions and lead to further deterioration.
While many Druze leaders have chosen to voice their concerns privately, the recent turmoil has raised alarm about their safety, highlighting an eerie reluctance among them to disarm amid fears of external threats. The evolving situation continues to necessitate careful attention from regional and international observers.
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