By: Sarit Zehavi & Tal Beeri.
In recent days, significant tension has erupted between the #Druze population in #Syria (in southern Damascus and Sweida) and the Syrian regime’s security forces. This tension has escalated into violent clashes between Druze militias and regime forces:
- The clashes began in Jaramana and Sahnaya, in southern Damascus, and spread to the southern section of the Sweida–Damascus highway. These areas are relatively far from the Israeli border—over 50 kilometers in a straight line.
2. Israel carried out several limited, targeted strikes to send a warning message to the Syrian regime’s security forces in the Sahnaya area.
3. As a result of the clashes, dozens of individuals on both sides were injured. Several wounded Druze were brought into Israel for medical treatment.
4. On May 1st, Syrian security forces began deploying along the border between Daraa and Sweida governorates.
5. Alongside this deployment, reports emerged that representatives from both sides were meeting to reach agreements regarding the entry of regime forces into Druze areas, the regulation of weapons held by Druze militias, and the possibility of partially integrating Druze fighters into the security forces.
6. On the early morning of May 2nd, Israel conducted another warning strike—this time near the presidential palace in Damascus.
7. In parallel with these strikes, Israel issued several public statements expressing its determination to prevent harm to Syria’s Druze population. Israel emphasized that the responsibility lies with Al-Julani to protect the Druze from jihadist groups, and that the Druze must be allowed to defend themselves independently if necessary—rather than having jihadist forces sent into Druze population centers.
8. In the coming hours and days, it should become clearer whether the situation will escalate significantly between the Druze in Sweida and the regime, or whether a temporary agreement has been reached. (It is worth noting that some Druze factions oppose the reported agreements.)
9. As of this writing, there has been no massacre—nor anything resembling one.
10. Israel should only intervene if the situation escalates into a clear, immediate, and real threat to a large civilian Druze population. As of now, no such threat exists.
11. Al-Julani stands at a crossroads: between his desire to build a state with Western backing, and the radical ideology he and his supporters uphold—an ideology that considers even the Druze to be infidels with no right to exist. As of now, it remains unclear which path Al-Julani has chosen. The image he presents to the West does not align with the actions of his forces inside Syria.
