The Druze community in southern Syria, particularly in Suwayda, has formed the Suwayda Military Council to protect against external threats and local government oppression following the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad. While historically cautious of external influences, the Druze, who practice a unique faith amalgamating various philosophies, faced violence from ISIS and neglect from the regime. The new council seeks to integrate into a unified Syrian army, promoting secularism and democracy. Despite support from some factions, internal dissent exists, and community leaders express concerns over the leadership of interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa. Civilians welcome the council’s formation as a protective measure.
New Delhi/Damascus:
The Druze community, historically based in southern Syria’s Suwayda and the adjacent regions of Jabal al-Druze, has always been cautious about external threats. While there are smaller Druze populations near the Golan Heights, they belong to a broader network of Druze communities in Syria and Lebanon.
The Druze, similar to the Kurds and Yazidis, are a distinct ethnic minority in the Middle East who adhere to the Druze faith, which blends principles of Islam, Hinduism, and even classical Greek philosophy. Many Druze were involved in military service or local security forces, yet they faced a tragic massacre at the hands of ISIS. Their situation worsened after the war, marred by neglect and ongoing disputes over the former regime’s attempts to assert control over Suwayda.
On February 24, armed Druze factions in Syria’s southern Suwayda province proclaimed the establishment of the Suwayda Military Council, a coalition of local groups dedicated to defending the Druze community from external threats and government oppression. This announcement followed the recent downfall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and occurred amidst the uncertain future under interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa.
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“For the Druze community, not much has changed. Since 2015, Suwayda had been cautiously controlled by the Assad regime. State institutions operated, but security was limited. Following Assad’s fall, conditions remained largely unchanged, except for the poorest segments losing governmental support for basic necessities like bread,” said Amer Abu Assali, a Druze who grew up in Syria, to NDTV.
The council, according to its statement, is responsible for protecting civilians and public assets, coordinating with other security groups, and maintaining regional stability.
“Somewhat, safety has improved, but the situation remains perilous. Most of the gangs and cartels in Suwayda were supported by Assad, and when he fell, they crumbled. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), led by al-Sharaa, has not fully entered Suwayda because the local population rejects them,” Mr. Assali, 36, told NDTV. “Druze in Syria are found not only in Suwayda but also in smaller communities in Idlib, Quneitra, and the rural areas of western Damascus. Some Druze in Idlib were compelled to convert to Islam by the Al-Nusra Front, the precursor to HTS, over the last decade.”
A Long-Brewing Movement
The Suwayda Military Council initially emerged as the Interim Military Council in December of last year, shortly after the fall of Assad’s government. Its formation was a reaction to the deteriorating security landscape that followed the withdrawal of Syrian Arab Army (SAA) forces from the area.
Not all Druze leaders embraced the initiative. Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajri, Syria’s Druze spiritual leader, dismissed the council, accusing its members of seeking separation and asserting that they do not represent the Druze community.
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“Numerous groups aligned with the SDF, Israel, or the US are ambiguous, such as the Free Syrian Army, which disappeared for about ten years before resurfacing following Assad’s fall,” Mr. Assali told NDTV.
Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, known also by his war name Abu Mohammad al-Julani, has met with delegations from Suwayda to address security concerns, political participation, and economic conditions.
However, there are uncertainties within the community regarding al-Sharaa’s past leadership of HTS.
“In Suwayda, Islamists can never implement Islamic law in a region overwhelmingly Druze, which is approximately 90 percent of the population. However, al-Sharaa’s standing is declining because he hasn’t demonstrated seriousness in state-building. Transparency is lacking – there are no formal announcements, just militia leaders declaring him president in a Telegram group. His recent speech framed him as a strongman, suggesting he may resort to force to impose his political agenda,” Mr. Assali conveyed to NDTV.
A Symbol of Resistance
The Suwayda Military Council has adopted a flag reminiscent of that of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). However, this one includes the Suwayda Governorate alongside the Druze five-pointed star.
The council has indicated a willingness to collaborate with the SDF, acknowledging their joint struggle against terrorism and dictatorship. Since Assad’s fall, the council has been working to strengthen its influence, notably by compiling a database of former SAA officers and internal security personnel.
Reports suggest that Tareq al Shoufi is leading the council, although little information is available about him. A 2023 report indicates that he was among former SAA officers who aligned with the Druze community during protests against Assad in Suwayda. On February 24, several local factions pledged allegiance to the Military Council, including the Bayraq Suleiman Bin Daoud Forces, led by Majed Najem Abu Ras.
“We demand the full demilitarization of southern Syria,” stated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently. “We will not tolerate any threat to the Druze community in southern Syria.”
Abu Ras has posted pro-Israel sentiments on social media, sharing a message from Israeli Druze leader Suleiman Abdul Latif, urging young Druze in Suwayda to join the council. He also commented on Netanyahu’s statements regarding the protection of Syria’s Druze community, suggesting that Netanyahu’s message was directed at al-Sharaa and HTS.
Civilians within the Druze community have embraced this initiative.
“This is a positive step toward pressuring the government and ensuring protection. However, in the past, armed groups in Suwayda were disorganized, and no significant force was ever constituted. This should be succeeded by political initiatives. Currently, the situation is quite unclear,” Mr. Assali told NDTV.
Historically, the Druze have distanced themselves from radical Islam. Many residing in Israel have even served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).