Renewed violence in Syria between the country’s Islamist-led government and members of the Druze community has thrust the small but strategically significant minority back into the center of regional politics. As clashes erupt in southern Syria, Israel has cited the need to protect the Druze as justification for a series of strikes targeting Syrian government forces.
Who Are the Druze?
The Druze are ethnically Arab and follow a unique monotheistic religion that emerged in the 11th century. Rooted in Islam but infused with elements of Greek philosophy, Gnosticism and other spiritual traditions, the faith emphasizes reincarnation and inner truth. Secrecy surrounding Druze religious practices has set the community apart for centuries. Despite this, the Druze are integrated into the national fabrics of the countries in which they reside.
However, hardline Sunni Muslims have long viewed the Druze as heretics. Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda member turned Islamist leader, struck a conciliatory tone on Thursday, calling the Druze “part of the Syrian fabric” and pledging to protect their rights amid the rising tensions.
Where Are They Located?
The Druze population straddles several countries across the Levant. In Syria, they are primarily concentrated in the southwestern Sweida region near the Jordanian border and parts of Quneitra province near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Communities also exist in Jaramana, a suburb of Damascus.
In Lebanon, the Druze inhabit mountainous regions such as Chouf, Aley, and Hasbaya in the south. In Israel, most Druze reside in the north and in the occupied Golan Heights. While many Israeli Druze identify as Israeli citizens, over 20,000 in the Golan still identify as Syrians and maintain close ties with relatives across the border.
An Outsized Political Footprint
Despite their small numbers, the Druze wield notable political influence. In Israel, where the Druze number around 150,000, many serve in the military and police – unlike other Arab citizens of Israel – and some have reached senior ranks, giving the community a strong voice within Israeli politics.
The Syrian Druze, estimated to be around 1 million, largely avoided conflict with the regime of Bashar al-Assad during the earlier stages of the Syrian civil war, focusing instead on community preservation as the Assad regime battled Sunni-majority rebels. However, since Assad’s ouster in December, tensions with the new Islamist-led leadership have repeatedly flared into violence.
While some Druze figures have called for reconciliation with the new Damascus authorities, others—such as Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajari—have urged resistance. This week, al-Hajari made a direct appeal to world leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, amid the violence engulfing Sweida and Quneitra.
Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, however, has strongly rejected the idea of Israeli protection for Syria’s Druze. Warning against foreign intervention, he has instead called for national unity among Syrians.
Why Is Israel Involved?
Israel has long carried out airstrikes in Syria, previously targeting positions held by Iranian and Iran-backed forces during Assad’s tenure. Now, Israel is portraying Syria’s new Islamist-led government as a jihadist threat, particularly wary of any military deployments near its border.
Citing fears of a hostile buildup in southern Syria, Israel has vowed to prevent any encroachment by Damascus-led forces and to defend the Druze community in the process. Since December, Israeli troops have also seized Syrian territory adjoining the occupied Golan Heights.
“The Israeli government is attempting to dismantle the unity of our people,” Sharaa said in a televised address on Thursday. “They have consistently targeted our stability and promoted division among Syrians since the fall of the former regime.”
As violence continues to ripple through southern Syria, the Druze community finds itself once again navigating a precarious balance between survival, identity and shifting regional power dynamics .
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