NDTV Unique: Not Muslims Or Christians – One other Syrian Ethnic Group Caught In Crossfire

The Druze group, traditionally concentrated in southern Syria’s Suwayda and the encircling areas of Jabal al-Druze, has lengthy been cautious of exterior threats. Whereas small Druze communities exist close to the Golan Heights, they’re half of a bigger community of Druze populations unfold throughout Syria and Lebanon.

The Druze, just like the Kurds or the Yazidis, are a novel ethnic minority within the Center East who observe the Druze religion, which includes tenets of Islam, Hinduism and even classical Greek philosophy in its faith. Whereas many have been serving both within the military or in native safety models, they suffered a bloodbath by the hands of ISIS. In addition they suffered after the conflict because of neglect and continued controversy concerning the previous regime’s makes an attempt to revive authority over Suwayda.

On February 24, armed Druze factions in Syria’s southern Suwayda province introduced the formation of the Suwayda Navy Council, a coalition of native teams devoted to defending the Druze group from exterior threats and authorities oppression. The announcement got here weeks after former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s downfall and in opposition to the backdrop of an unsure way forward for the nation’s new management beneath interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa.

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“For the Druze group, not a lot has modified. Since 2015, Suwayda was beneath cautious management of the Assad regime. The state establishments functioned, however safety was restricted. After Assad’s fall, the state of affairs remained largely the identical, besides that the poorest misplaced authorities assist for bread and important items,” Amer Abu Assali, a Druze who grew up in Syria, advised NDTV.

The council, in accordance with its assertion, is tasked with safeguarding civilians and public property, coordinating with different safety factions, and guaranteeing the area’s stability.

“By some means, security improved, although the state of affairs stays harmful. Many of the gangs and cartels in Suwayda have been backed by Assad, and when he fell, they collapsed too. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) – headed by al-Sharaa – hasn’t totally entered Suwayda as a result of the individuals reject them,” Mr Assali, 36, advised NDTV. “Druze in Syria should not solely in Suwayda. There are small Druze communities in Idlib, Quneitra, and western rural Damascus. Some Druze in Idlib have been pressured to transform to Islam beneath the Al-Nusra Entrance – HTS’ precursor – over a ten-year interval.”

A Lengthy-Brewing Motion

The Suwayda Navy Council initially emerged because the Interim Navy Council in December final 12 months, shortly after Assad’s authorities fell. Its formation was a response to deteriorating safety situations following the withdrawal of Syrian Arab Military (SAA) forces from the province.

The council’s commander, a person named Tareq Al Shoufi, in his first public remarks, stated that the Druze physique seeks to combine right into a unified Syrian military, selling secularism, democracy, and decentralisation as foundational rules for justice and stability.

Not all Druze leaders welcomed the initiative. Syria’s Druze religious chief, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajri has rejected the council, accusing its members of separatism and insisting they don’t symbolize the Druze group.

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“Many teams aligned with the SDF, Israel, or the US are ambiguous, just like the Free Syrian Military, which disappeared for ten years earlier than reappearing the night time Assad fell,” Mr Assali advised NDTV.

Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, additionally identified by the nom de guerre Abu Mohammad al-Julani, has met with a delegation from Suwayda to debate safety considerations, political participation, and financial situations.

Nevertheless, there have been apprehensions throughout the group contemplating al-Sharaa’s previous as chief of HTS.

“In Suwayda, Islamists can by no means impose Islamic legislation in a area that’s 90 per cent Druze. Nonetheless, the final notion of al-Sharaa is worsening as a result of he hasn’t proven seriousness in constructing a state. Transparency is nonexistent – no formal declarations, simply militia leaders declaring him president in a Telegram group. His newest speech offered him as a strongman, implying he’ll use power to impose his political imaginative and prescient,” Mr Assali advised NDTV.

A Image of Resistance

The Suwayda Navy Council has adopted a flag just like the one utilized by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Nevertheless, this model options Suwayda Governorate with the Druze five-pointed star.

The council has expressed openness to cooperating with the SDF, acknowledging their shared battle in opposition to terrorism and dictatorship. Since Assad’s fall, the council has been working to consolidate its affect, notably compiling a database of former SAA officers and inner safety personnel.

Experiences point out that Tareq al Shoufi is main the council, although little is understood about him. A 2023 report suggests he was amongst former SAA officers who sided with the Druze group throughout anti-Assad protests in Suwayda. On February 24, a number of native factions pledged allegiance to the Navy Council, together with the Bayraq Suleiman Bin Daoud Forces, led by a person known as Majed Najem Abu Ras.

“We demand the complete demilitarisation of southern Syria,” stated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lately. “We won’t tolerate any menace to the Druze group in southern Syria.”

Abu Ras has expressed pro-Israel sentiments on social media. He shared a submit by Israeli Druze chief Suleiman Abdul Latif, urging younger Druze in Suwayda to affix the council. In one other occasion, he commented on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s remarks about defending Syria’s Druze group, suggesting that Netanyahu’s message was geared toward al-Sharaa and HTS.

Civilians within the Druze group have welcomed the transfer.

“It is a good step for pressuring the federal government and offering safety. However up to now, armed teams in Suwayda have been disorganised, and no giant power was ever fashioned. This must be adopted by political efforts. Proper now, issues are unclear,” Mr Assali advised NDTV.

Traditionally, the Druze have distanced themselves from radical Islam. Many residing in Israel have even served within the Israel Protection Forces (IDF).