Escalating Violence in Southern Syria: Druze Under Siege Amidst Sectarian Tensions
Since Tuesday, armed clashes have erupted in various southern regions of Syria predominantly inhabited by the Druze minority. This sect, a branch of Islam, finds itself in conflict with the newly established authorities in Damascus, marking one of the most severe waves of violence in the post-Assad era.
According to the Syrian Interior Ministry, at least 16 civilians and security personnel have lost their lives during two consecutive days of confrontation near Damascus. The violence reportedly initiated overnight in Ashrafiye Sahnaya, located southwest of the capital, when unknown armed individuals targeted a security checkpoint. On Tuesday, an attack in Yaramana, a Druze-majority suburb, resulted in at least ten deaths, as reported by the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which has been tracking the Syrian conflict since its inception in 2011.
Witnesses in Ashrafiye Sahnaya described a morning filled with the sounds of gunfire, explosions, and bombings, prompting security forces to close off access to the area and deploy reinforcements aimed at quelling the violence and apprehending the perpetrators.
From across the border, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed the public of military actions taken against extremist factions purportedly planning attacks on the Druze community in southern Syria. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that their air force conducted targeted strikes against operatives involved in the attacks on Druze civilians, resulting in the death of one security force member.
In light of the ongoing violence against the Druze, Israel has expressed its commitment to protect this vulnerable community and has signaled intentions to strike Syrian regime targets should hostilities escalate. However, Druze leaders have expressed concerns about this external intervention, stating they did not seek such protection.
For nearly two months, tensions within Syria have remained palpable, particularly following armed conflicts instigated by factions loyal to former President Bashar Al Assad, which triggered sectarian massacres along the Mediterranean coast, claiming nearly a thousand lives.
These recent clashes threaten to deepen the divide between the Syrian government and the Druze community, which has been advocating for greater representation and autonomy within the state apparatus. The Druze population, estimated at approximately 500,000, predominantly resides in the southern region of Suwaida and surrounding areas.
Since the downfall of Al Assad's regime on December 8, negotiations have been ongoing between the new authorities and Druze leaders. However, progress has been hampered as Druze representatives seek assurances of some degree of autonomy from Damascus while expressing skepticism towards the current administration and its ties with President Ahmad al Sharaa, head of the radical Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS).
The violent outbreak on Tuesday was reportedly triggered by an audio recording attributed to a Druze cleric that insulted the Prophet Muhammad, which circulated on social media. Following this, armed groups attacked Yaramana, igniting a cycle of violence. The cleric, identified as Marwan Kiwan, publicly denied responsibility for the recording, condemning its creator for inciting discord among Syrians. The Syrian Interior Ministry confirmed this misattribution and urged the public to refrain from vigilante justice.
In response to the crisis, local leaders and government officials reached a temporary agreement to cease hostilities in Yaramana, with promises of compensation for victims' families and justice for the attackers. However, violence flared up again shortly after in Ashrafiye Sahnaya, with unclear connections to the earlier unrest in Yaramana.
Tarek al Shoufi, the head of the military council of Suwaida, communicated that the Druze in Ashrafiye Sahnaya are faced with dwindling resources and worsening conditions, as they encounter difficulties in obtaining aid due to blocked routes and military operations against them. A curfew was announced in the area to restore order.
In closing, Hossam al Tahan, head of the Security Directorate around Damascus, reported that operations in Ashrafiye Sahnaya had concluded with security forces being deployed to maintain stability in the region. The ongoing crisis exemplifies the fraught and complex dynamics existing between the Syrian government and its religious minorities, particularly in light of a fragmented political landscape and resurgence in sectarian violence.
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