Israel threatens the Syrian regime against harming the Druze community

Local residents cheer as they gather on a street in the Damascus suburb of Jaramana on December 8, 2024. (LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)

Israel’s defense minister on Saturday threatened action in Syria “if the regime harms the Druze” community, as a monitor reported a deadly clash between Druze gunmen and government-linked forces.

A defense ministry statement quoted Israel Katz as saying his country will not allow Syria’s new rulers, who overthrew Bashar al-Assad in an Islamist-led uprising in December, “to harm the Druze”, adding the military has been ordered, “to prepare and to send a firm and clear warning: if the regime harms the Druze, it will suffer the consequences.”

We are prepared to stay [protesting] and demand our rights” – Druze activist Wajiha al-Hajjar said. Syria’s de facto ruler Ahmed al-Sharaa hosted Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt in another effort to reassure minorities they will be protected after Islamist rebels led the ouster of Bashar al-Assad two weeks ago. Syria’s did not have a good experience with Sharraa when he led the Nusra movement against Assad . For this reason many Druze are not sure about him specially since he wants the elections to be held in about 4 to 5 years . No one in Syria wants another dictator like Assad

On Monday, Netanyahu said troops would stay on the Syrian side of Mount Hermon and the buffer zone in the Golan Heights for “an unlimited period of time.”

“We demand full demilitarization of southern Syria from troops of the new Syrian regime in the Quneitra, Daraa, and Suweyda provinces,” Netanyahu said, adding that Israel will not accept any threats to Druze in southern Syria.

Barrons/ AFP