The Druze of Syria avoid the worst 14-year-old civil war-and you want to do only a few new rulers

Six months have passed since the Syrian dictator has long been dropped, Bashar al -Assad, after a stunning rebel attack that the opposition fighters were taking over the country in only 11 days.

The most famous since then was equally optimistic. The new Syrian government, under the leadership of the jihadist president, Ahmed Al -Sharra, has recorded some successes, the most prominent removal Whoever strangled Western sanctions was placed on the country under its predecessor.

There were also seizures of severe violence, especially towards the country’s minorities. A pro -Assad’s uprising was followed on the Syrian coast in March The killings for revenge Alawite community, while just two weeks ago, ISIS bombing Against a church in Damascus, dozens of Christians were killed.

Amid this uncertainty, other minorities in Syria found themselves in a difficult situation, as other forces in the region – ranging from Israel to Turkey to Iran – are seeking to exploit it.

One community in particular finds itself in an accurate position: the Druze.

Neither a Muslim nor a Christian, and the Druze is an internal sect that includes its secret reincarnation.

While just 90 minutes drive from the Syrian capital, Damascus, the Druze of Suwayda stronghold appears to be a distant world. Alcohol is apparently sold in every third store. The veil on all women does not exist. The security forces are also absent from the new government – the only armed men present from the Druze militias, which have so far refused to allow a symbol from Damascus.

Suwayda is unique among Syria’s provinces, as it has managed to avoid nearly the total destroyed civil war in the country. Local Dafara, which constitutes 90 percent of the population of the region, expelled the Assad regime and its agents in 2012, after which they draw a path in which they did not help the Assad government or the rebels opposed to it.

“This was a war between the Sunnis and the Wiwes,” said Amjad Tafif, the owner of the local cafe, referring to the prevailing Islamic sects in the country. “We had nothing to do with it.”

“We can only rely on ourselves.”

After sitting the worst civil war, the Druze only wants a few new rulers in Syria.

“The only way in which we can preserve our rights is through decentralization,” said Badr Kimash, the Durrati activist. “We cannot live under the direct base of a group that killed our people before. No one trusts them here.”

Kmash Kmash refers to an event on June 10, 2015, when the fighters are affiliated with the Al-Narb Front-the group that is now headed by the Syrian President, Sharaa- He shot at least 20 Druze In a village in the northwest of the country. The incident left a deep mark on society, and it is mentioned early and often in any conversation about the new government.

“The people who committed this act are now responsible for Syria,” said Druze politician, Druze. “They apologized for that, not to mention this, not to mention any modifications.”

2015 killings were not the only tragedy that the Druze has seen over the past decade.

In July 2018, ISIS, also known as the Islamic State, was launched The massive attack On Sweida. The waves of fighters from the desert appeared in the east in the province, which were only placed by Druze defenders in a hurry. While the fighting erupted, the suicide bombers who slipped into the crowded Suwaida markets have exploded. More than 200 in one day.

“The fighting lasted for more than 14 hours, from dawn to dusk,” said Mahdi Farraj, 33, who fought in the battle. “We had no one to help us: not the government (Assad) or any foreign country.”

Lestern clash stiffness local attitudes towards the need to maintain their militias.

“This is why we cannot put our weapons,” Faraj said. “We have always been armed, because we can only rely on ourselves.”

Opposition

Mahathwi, the politician, was in the center of one drama with the new authorities. At the beginning of the year, it was nominated by the Druze community To be a ruler From Suwayda, waiting for the approval of Damascus. Instead, Shara canceled an Islamic leader to serve as a deputy there – a decision that ended almost the bloodshed after he was the new appointed for a short period of time Attach at the threat of weapons By Druze Militiamen.

While there are a few supporters of Shara and his allies in Sooida, some go beyond others in their opposition.

One of the leading figures against the new government is Sheikh Hakkitt Stone, the spiritual leader of the Druze. Sitting in his complex in the town of Qanawat, he criticized Hijri Sharaa for “DRUE” in decision -making for the future of the country.

“We have had talks with (the new government) since the third day after the fall of Assad, but they are clearly not listening to us,” Hijri said. “There were not a single Druze involved in drafting the new constitution. The government says it will work with us, but only words – do not take any steps towards that.”

One of the aspects of Hijri and other Druze concerns is the main role that Türkiye plays in building the new Syrian state. The historical persecution of the Druze was merged during the Ottoman Empire and the 2015 massacre of ancient concern with new monuments.

“We can clearly see Türkiye’s hand in this role,” Higry said. “There are many Salafi and extremist currents in the new administration, and Turkey has always been happy to support these groups. We can also see what Turkey does with the Kurds – kill them and destroy their culture. Therefore, of course, this is very dedicated to us.”

The fear of Türkiye has made some Druze open to protect another regional power: Israel.

Since the fall of Assad, Israel has emerged as a new mediator of the authority in southern Syria, where the forces were transported across the long border to operate the lands and villages of the raid. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his reservoir also summoned the “protection” of the Druze community in Syria Possible tripwire For more intervention in Syria if the latter is threatened.

Druze also lives in Israel

Unlike most of their Syrian colleagues, Druze Harbour Little Ill Wome Women There ISRAEL, which hosts a large and well integrated population. The Druze of Israel is one of the only minority communities that serve the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), and family ties with the Druze in Syria as a back channel and a source of true feelings supporting Israel.

Israel’s question acquired additional importance after the clashes in the Jaramana suburb in Damascus – which is mainly filled with Druze – in February and April. Israel carried out air strikes on the Syrian government forces, which clashed with Druze fighters in the wake of the last incident.

Syrian government Denies sharing In these clashes, blame them for the rogue elements. Negotiations Between the new authorities and Druze Bothles occurred regularly, and a new segment of violence prevented but failing to address deep issues.

Analysts say the situation has calmed down somewhat since April’s fight.

“Israel’s attempts to take advantage of the Druze fears and instability in recent weeks,” said Charles Leicester, director of the Syria Initiative at the Middle East Institute in Washington.

This was partially due to the start of “direct and indirect conversations between Damascus and Jerusalem.”

While Druze tries to find their place in new Syria, their final situation is still out of certainty.

Leicester said: “The move of Syria has only legs if it can prove that minority and regions are integrated and enabled successfully and interests,” Leicester said. “It is certain that there is no yet, but we have to continue to remind ourselves: We are only six months in this transition.”

Israel’s last role in Syria – including air strikes Rids on border villages It is still controversial, but many Druze are at least open to support Israel if violence returns.

“We are not completely alone here,” says Faraj, Druze fighter. “All Syrian Druze have a family in Israel. If we are attacked, we will invite our cousins ​​there, and we will deal with any threats from Damascus.”