Syria encountered an attack orchestrated by Israel, aimed at safeguarding the Druze community.
Syrian Unrest and Israel's Intervention
Adversarial skirmishes erupted in Syria, leaving at least 16 dead in a Damascus suburb, raising questions about the new Islamist regime's ability to maintain control over armed factions and quell the simmering sectarian tensions. This escalation prompted Israeli airstrikes, targeting groups perceived as threats to the minority Druze community.
In the conflict-ridden suburb of Ashrafiyah Sahnaya, brutal clashes between pro-government forces and Druze militia members took place over night. The death toll reportedly reached 17, and authorities imposed movements restrictions in the area.
An activist recorded videos detailing intense battles throughout the streets of Ashrafiyah Sahnaya, featuring pockets of resistance and violent exchanges. The area, only five miles southwest of the capital, is home to a significant Druze population, which shares religious and familial ties with Druze communities in Lebanon and Israel.
Following the violent clashes, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Defense Israel Katz announced a "warning operation," asserting that they targeted extremist groups plotting attacks on the Sahnaya Druze population. Israeli leaders reiterated their intent to safeguard this community, citing their deep-rooted historical and familial bonds.
Israel has long been vigilant regarding the emergence of jihadi threats on its borders, viewing Syria's current administration as a potential danger. Last December, Israeli troops crossed established armistice lines into Syrian border villages, creating a buffer zone to protect the countryside's Druze community. However, this intervention has garnered mixed reactions within the Syrian Druze community.
While Druze villagers initially celebrated the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad, they have pressed back against the rebel coalition and refused to disarm, fearing integration with an unstable new regime dominated by extremist factions. A recent audio clip, falsely attributed to a Druze cleric insulting the Prophet Muhammad, sparked further tension between the Druze and Sunni factions, leading to clashes in the towns of Jaramana and Ashrafiyah Sahnaya.
These escalating clashes cast further uncertainty over Syria's ability to establish stability and suppress sectarian divisions, as many factions that fought alongside the government during the country's protracted civil war now present challenges to the new security apparatus.
Residents of southwestern Syria express grim apprehension over the potential for an all-out conflict between Israel and Syria's new authorities. Recent violence echoes the atrocities seen in Syria's coastal region last month, when pro-government factions massacred hundreds of civilians, garnering international condemnation and calls for the protection of minorities' rights[2][3].
Additional Reading:- Syrians bear witness to renewed sectarian violence and deadly retaliation- Over 600 perish in two days of fighting and revenge bloodshed in Syria-resource-rich region remains in disarray amidst lingering uncertainty
Enrichment Insights:- The Syrian government has pledged to protect all communities within Syria, regardless of their religious or ethnic background. However, concerns remain about the ability of the current regime to quell the rising tide of sectarian conflicts that threaten to unravel the country.- Historically, there have been strong connections between the Druze communities in Syria and Israel, fueling Israel's commitment to ensure their protection in the face of extremist groups in Syria.- The Syrian Druze community has rejected Israeli intervention, fearing that it may exacerbate the destabilization of their homeland.
[1] https://www.wsj.com/articles/fighting-in-syria-leaves-dozens-dead-after-days-of-sectarian-clashes-11619711635[2] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/5/22/syria-israel-strikes-syrian-group-over-attack-on-druze-citizens[3] https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-frees-syrian-arab-flag-activist-held-protesting-at-airport-2021-05-17/
- The Syrian government, despite its pledge to protect all communities, faces challenges in quelling rising sectarian conflicts as these threaten to destabilize the country.
- Israeli leaders have integrated historical and familial bonds with Syria's Druze community into their motivation for safeguarding this minority group from extremist factions.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Defense Israel Katz confirmed the targeting of extremist groups plotting attacks on the Druze population in Sahnaya, citing Israel's long-term vigilance against jihadi threats on its borders.
- The recent violence in Ashrafiyah Sahnaya, despite garnering international condemnation, has escalated tensions between Druze and Sunni factions, potentially leading to an all-out conflict between Israel and Syria's new authorities.
- The Syrian Druze community, initially celebrating the fall of Bashar Assad, now fears integration with an unstable new regime dominated by extremist factions, continuing to press back against rebel coalition forces.
