Syrian President Pledges Druze Protection Amid Sectarian Strife

Syria's interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has stated that safeguarding the Druze citizens is a top priority following Israel's threat to target government forces accused of attacking the religious minority in Suweida province. Al-Sharaa emphasized Syrians' readiness for conflict in his first televised address since Israel's airstrikes on Damascus.

Reports from Syrian state media indicate that the military is pulling out of Suweida under a ceasefire agreement with Druze leaders amidst ongoing sectarian clashes between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes, resulting in over 350 deaths. The government's intervention in Suweida marks the first deployment of forces to the predominantly Druze city.

The Druze religion, an offshoot of Shia Islam, has significant communities in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, and the Golan Heights. Syrian Druze and other minorities have expressed concerns about Al-Sharaa's leadership due to his past ties to the jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), formerly linked to al-Qaeda and designated as a terrorist organization by the UN.

Al-Sharaa reassured the Druze community of their integral role in Syria and rejected external interference in his speech, highlighting the government's success in restoring stability in Suweida despite Israeli interventions. He pledged accountability for any wrongdoing against the Druze people and announced the transfer of security responsibilities to local factions and religious leaders.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed Israel's actions to protect Druze civilians and target Syrian military sites in response to the clashes in Suweida. The Israeli military's chief of staff, Lt Gen Eyal Zamir, emphasized preventing hostile elements from establishing a presence near the border and safeguarding Israeli citizens.

The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, disclosed ongoing discussions with involved parties to resolve the situation in southern Syria. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported over 350 fatalities, including Druze fighters, civilians, government forces, and Bedouin tribal fighters, in the recent clashes. Verification of casualty figures remains challenging, with conflicting reports from Syrian security sources.