The Druze community, historically concentrated in southern Syria’s Suwayda and the surrounding areas of Jabal al-Druze, has long been wary of external threats. The Druze, like the Kurds or the Yazidis, are a unique ethnic minority in the Middle East who follow the Druze faith. While many were serving either in the army or in local security units, they suffered a massacre at the hands of ISIS. They also suffered after the war due to neglect and continued controversy regarding the former regime’s attempts to restore authority over Su wayda. The announcement came weeks after former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s downfall and against the backdrop of an uncertain future of the country’s new leadership under interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa. Not all Druze leaders welcomed the initiative. Syria’s Druze spiritual leader, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajri has rejected the council, accusing its members of separatism and insisting they do not represent the Druzes. The council has expressed openness to cooperating with the SDF, acknowledging their shared struggle against terrorism and terrorism.
The Druze community, historically concentrated in southern Syria’s Suw….
