In recent days, violent clashes have erupted in southern Syria between members of the Druze community, the new regime’s forces, and local armed groups. The conflict began following the circulation of an audio recording that insulted the Prophet Muhammad, which was later revealed to have been fabricated. The clashes occurred mainly in Jaramana and Ashrafiyat Sahnaya—Druze areas in the suburbs of Damascus—and have once again highlighted the sensitivity of sectarian tensions in the country.
Despite the regime’s efforts to restore order, security forces initially struggled to contain local armed groups, which appear to operate independently. According to estimates, around 90 people were killed, most of them fighters, including about 15 civilians among the dead.
As part of the lessons learned from earlier violent clashes with the Alawites in early March, the Syrian regime has sought to contain the situation through dialogue. The governor of Suwayda and senior officials from the Ministry of Defense held talks with local Druze leaders, which led to an agreement that included the entry of Syrian security forces into the area and the disarmament of some of the groups. The agreement also included the establishment of a compensation mechanism for civilians whose property was damaged in the fighting, as well as broader integration of young Druze militia members into the regime’s security apparatus.
Within the Druze community, divergent positions emerged in response to the escalation in southern Syria. Senior Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri voiced harsh criticism of the regime’s conduct, emphasized the loss of trust in it, and called for the consideration of international protection. In contrast, other prominent sheikhs—including Hammoud al-Hinnawi and Yusuf Jarbooa—stressed the importance of dialogue with the government and maintaining Syria’s unity.
In recent months, Israel has pledged to protect the Druze in Syria, viewing them both as allies and as positive actors in a territory fraught with potential threats, as well as out of its commitment to the Druze community within Israel. Despite the risk of being further drawn into Syria’s internal conflicts, Israel has carried out several airstrikes in the conflict zones, including a strike on Thursday night near the presidential palace in Damascus. This strike was intended to send a message to Ahmed al-Sharaa not to allow harm to come to the Druze.
The Syrian regime condemned the Israeli strikes, as did various regional and international actors. The local population also called for action against Israel in response to its aggression. The already heightened anti-Israel sentiment—due to its military activity in Syria—necessitates a delicate balancing act between Israel’s moral and strategic obligation to prevent harm to the Druze and the risk of escalating into a direct and intense confrontation in Syria.
Following its forceful military response, Israel would now be better served by focusing on providing humanitarian aid to the Druze and mobilizing the international community and its regional allies to calm tensions and prevent similar incidents in the future.
In recent days, violent clashes have erupted in southern Syria between members of the Druze community, the new regime’s forces, and local armed groups. The conflict began following the circulation of an audio recording that insulted the Prophet Muhammad, which was later revealed to have been fabricated. The clashes occurred mainly in Jaramana and Ashrafiyat Sahnaya—Druze areas in the suburbs of Damascus—and have once again highlighted the sensitivity of sectarian tensions in the country.
Despite the regime’s efforts to restore order, security forces initially struggled to contain local armed groups, which appear to operate independently. According to estimates, around 90 people were killed, most of them fighters, including about 15 civilians among the dead.
As part of the lessons learned from earlier violent clashes with the Alawites in early March, the Syrian regime has sought to contain the situation through dialogue. The governor of Suwayda and senior officials from the Ministry of Defense held talks with local Druze leaders, which led to an agreement that included the entry of Syrian security forces into the area and the disarmament of some of the groups. The agreement also included the establishment of a compensation mechanism for civilians whose property was damaged in the fighting, as well as broader integration of young Druze militia members into the regime’s security apparatus.
Within the Druze community, divergent positions emerged in response to the escalation in southern Syria. Senior Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri voiced harsh criticism of the regime’s conduct, emphasized the loss of trust in it, and called for the consideration of international protection. In contrast, other prominent sheikhs—including Hammoud al-Hinnawi and Yusuf Jarbooa—stressed the importance of dialogue with the government and maintaining Syria’s unity.
In recent months, Israel has pledged to protect the Druze in Syria, viewing them both as allies and as positive actors in a territory fraught with potential threats, as well as out of its commitment to the Druze community within Israel. Despite the risk of being further drawn into Syria’s internal conflicts, Israel has carried out several airstrikes in the conflict zones, including a strike on Thursday night near the presidential palace in Damascus. This strike was intended to send a message to Ahmed al-Sharaa not to allow harm to come to the Druze.
The Syrian regime condemned the Israeli strikes, as did various regional and international actors. The local population also called for action against Israel in response to its aggression. The already heightened anti-Israel sentiment—due to its military activity in Syria—necessitates a delicate balancing act between Israel’s moral and strategic obligation to prevent harm to the Druze and the risk of escalating into a direct and intense confrontation in Syria.
Following its forceful military response, Israel would now be better served by focusing on providing humanitarian aid to the Druze and mobilizing the international community and its regional allies to calm tensions and prevent similar incidents in the future.