Syrian Druze Leader Seizes Power, Condemns Alleged Genocidal Campaign Against His People
In a bold move, the top Druze authority in Syria accused the government of a "bloodthirsty crusade" on May 1, following intense sectarian fighting near Damascus that left over 100 dead in only two days. Tensions between Druze fighters and Sunni forces affiliated with the ruling regime revealed the ongoing turmoil in Syria, just five months after President Bashar Al-Assad was ousted, a member of the Alawite minority.
Sheikh Hikmat Al-Hijri, the spiritual leader, denounced the "brutal, unjustified assault" targeting "innocent civilians in their homes" and demanded "immediate intervention from global powers." He warningly stated: "We no longer trust a government that claims to exist. (...) A government does not slaughter its people by unleashing its own extremist militias, then, after the massacres, claim that they are out-of-control elements. (...) A government protects its people."
In response to these demands, Syrian Foreign Minister Assaad Al-Chaibani stressed that "any call for foreign intervention, under any pretext or title, will only worsen the situation and create more divisions."
On May 1, the United Nations urged "all parties to exercise maximum restraint," while the United States criticized the "despicable, unacceptable violence." The U.S. spokesperson, Tammy Bruce, declared: "The interim authorities need to cease hostilities, hold those responsible for violent actions and casualties to civilians accountable, and guarantee the safety of all Syrians."
The escalating conflict in Jaramana, a suburb of Damascus, and Sahnaya, home to both Christians and Druzes, has reawakened memories of the massacres that occurred in early March, claiming over 1,700 lives, primarily Alawite community members. The chaos was ignited by assaults on security forces by pro-Assad militants.
Further insights from our analysis reveal that these clashes have led to 102 deaths, including 30 security personnel, 21 Druze fighters, and 11 civilians in Jaramana and Sahnaya. Forty Druze fighters perished in the southern province of Sweida, 35 of whom died in an ambush, according to an NGO.
Remarkably, Israel—a neighboring country technically at war with Syria—performed strikes in the Sahnaya region on Wednesday, purportedly to protect the Druze population. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his defense minister, Israel Katz, disclosed that the military had carried out a "warning strike" against an "extremist group" intending to attack the Druze population of Sahnaya.
Netanyahu emphasized Israel's obligation to safeguard Syrian Druze due to strong familial ties with Israeli Druze. In turn, Katz threatened: "If attacks against the Druze resume and the Syrian regime fails to halt them, Israel will respond with forceful reprisals."
The Israeli Defense Forces declared readiness to strike Syrian regime targets if "violence against the Druze community persisted." Moreover, they reported treating and evacuating three wounded Druze Syrians to Safed for medical care.
It is noteworthy that Druze leaders have asserted their commitment to Syria's unity and rebuffed Israeli threats against the Syrian regime. In neighboring Lebanon, Lebanese Druze leader Walid Joumblatt accsupsed Israel of manipulating Syria's Druze for their own geopolitical objectives.
The UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Otto Pedersen, expressed concern about the potential for further escalation and urged for an end to the conflict. Meanwhile, France condemned "the deadly sectarian violence against Syria's Druze community" and appealed to Israel "to refrain from taking unilateral actions that exacerbate communal tensions."
On a related note, our ongoing investigations expose the involvement of key members from the new regime in the coast's massacres of Alawites in March 2025. Furthermore, the recurring pattern of violence towards religious minorities under Syria's transitional government portends systemic risks for such communities.
- The Syrian Foreign Minister Assaad Al-Chaibani suggests that any foreign intervention in the ongoing conflict could worsen the situation and create more divisions.
- In response to the intense sectarian fighting, Sheikh Hikmat Al-Hijri, the Druze spiritual leader, demands immediate intervention from global powers to protect innocent civilians from genocidal attacks.
- Israel, neighboring Syria, has performed strikes in the Sahnaya region to protect the Druze population, who have strong familial ties with Israeli Druze, and Israel Katz threatens forceful reprisals if attacks against the Druze resume and the Syrian regime fails to halt them.
- The recurring pattern of violence towards religious minorities under Syria's transitional government indicates systemic risks for such communities, as France condemns the deadly sectarian violence against Syria's Druze community.
- Druze leaders in Syria and Lebanon have rebuffed Israeli threats against the Syrian regime, with Walid Joumblatt accusing Israel of manipulating Syria's Druze for their own geopolitical objectives. The escalating war-and-conflicts and violence in Syria raises concerns about stability in general-news, crime-and-justice, and the overall well-being of its citizens.
