Syria’s Interim President Vows Protection for Druze Community Amid Israeli Airstrikes on Damascus

Syria’s Interim President Vows Protection for Druze Community Amid Israeli Airstrikes on Damascus

In a powerful and emotionally charged speech, Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa addressed the nation for the first time since Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Damascus and surrounding areas. His remarks centered on the protection of Syria’s Druze community, a religious and ethnic minority caught in the middle of the escalating conflict. Al-Sharaa emphasized that safeguarding the rights and security of the Druze people remains one of his administration’s top priorities.

The Druze, who number around 700,000 in Syria, have historically lived in relative isolation in mountainous regions, particularly in the southern governorate of Sweida. They follow a distinct monotheistic faith that originated in the 11th century, branching off from Islam, and have long sought to maintain their autonomy in a country torn apart by sectarian strife and civil war.

Al-Sharaa’s Televised Statement

In his nationally televised address, Sharaa said: “We reject any attempt to drag the Druze community into the hands of an external party. They are an integral part of our nation. We are not among those who fear war. We have spent our lives facing challenges and defending our people. But we have always prioritized the interests of the Syrian people over chaos and destruction.”

The address came just one day after a fresh wave of Israeli airstrikes hit military and government positions in and around Damascus. Israel claims the attacks targeted Syrian government forces involved in alleged assaults on Druze villages in the south of the country, especially near the Golan Heights ceasefire line.

Sharaa condemned these strikes as a violation of Syria’s sovereignty and an attack on its people. He pledged accountability for those responsible for harming Druze civilians and stressed that the safety of Druze-majority regions would now be placed under the watch of local elders and community-led defense units.

Conditions on the Ground in Sweida

Reports from the southern city of Sweida, a Druze stronghold, paint a grim picture. Residents say they are trapped in their homes, afraid to leave due to the sound of gunfire and explosions. One local man, speaking by phone on condition of anonymity, said: “We are surrounded. We hear the fighters screaming. We’re terrified. We’re trying to keep the children quiet so that no one can hear us.”

Syria’s Health Ministry confirmed that dozens of civilian and militant bodies were found in a Sweida hospital, indicating the scale of the violence. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported at least 169 deaths this week, though some security officials estimated the death toll to be over 300. These numbers remain unverified, as independent access to the conflict zones is limited.

International Response

The United Nations Security Council is preparing to hold an emergency session to discuss the Syrian crisis. Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon urged the Council to condemn what he described as "barbaric crimes committed against civilians on Syrian soil." He also reiterated Israel’s stance that it will continue to act decisively against any perceived terrorist threats near its borders.

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed that all parties involved in the conflict had agreed to take specific steps to de-escalate tensions. “We have agreed on steps that will bring this troubling and horrifying situation to an end tonight,” Rubio said. However, he did not clarify whether those steps included a halt to Israel’s military actions. Earlier, Rubio had voiced concern over the violence but refrained from directly criticizing Israel.

Fragile Intercommunal Relations

The conflict is taking place against a backdrop of long-standing sectarian divisions in Syria. Since the collapse of the Assad government, Syria has fractured into various zones of control, each influenced by different religious, political, or tribal groups. The Druze, who previously remained somewhat neutral during the civil war, have increasingly looked to Israel for support. Around 150,000 Druze live in Israel, many of whom have familial or cultural ties to their counterparts in Syria.

This alignment has complicated Syria’s internal dynamics. President al-Sharaa, who is struggling to unify the country under a transitional government, faces distrust from several communities, including Sunnis, Alawites, and Kurds, who fear the possible rise of Islamist rule or authoritarian resurgence. Tensions flared earlier this year when mass killings targeted Syria’s Alawite minority, prompting fears of deeper sectarian violence.

The Druze Community: A Brief Overview

The Druze are a unique religious group that emerged in the 11th century from the Ismaili sect of Shia Islam but later developed its own esoteric theology. They do not proselytize, and their religious texts are closely guarded. The global Druze population is estimated to be about one million, with communities spread across Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan. Despite being a minority, the Druze have historically played a significant role in the politics of the Levant, often aligning themselves with nationalist or local autonomy movements.

Conclusion

President al-Sharaa’s speech appears to be both a reassurance to the Druze community and a message to the broader international audience. It underscores Syria’s fragile position amid internal fragmentation and growing foreign intervention. With ongoing Israeli strikes and reports of mass civilian casualties, the future remains uncertain for the Druze population and for Syria as a whole.

The coming days may determine whether this fragile truce holds—or whether Syria plunges even deeper into violence, with minorities like the Druze once again caught in the crossfire.