Druze Leader Decries Violence Amid Tensions in Southern Syria
In recent days, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, a prominent leader of Syria’s Druze minority, has voiced grave concerns over a wave of violence that has claimed numerous lives in clashes south of Damascus. The unrest, which erupted in the urban centers of Jaramana and Sahnaya, has led to deepening sectarian tensions, prompting al-Hijri to label the violence a “genocidal campaign” against his community.
The Syrian Ministry of Information reported that the confrontations resulted in the deaths of 11 members of the nation’s security forces. The United Kingdom-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), an organization dedicated to monitoring the conflict in Syria, stated that the death toll exceeded 100, with casualties encompassing a mixture of government loyalists, Druze fighters, and civilians. Among the deceased was the former mayor of Sahnaya, Husam Warwar, highlighting the personal toll of the violence on the local populace.
The violence is rooted in a recent incident involving a provocative audio clip circulated on social media that criticized revered figures in Islam, which some attributed to a Druze scholar. Although the scholar, Marwan Kiwan, denied responsibility for the clip, the fallout inflamed tensions, particularly among Sunni Muslims in the region.
Efforts to mitigate the unrest came to a head on Wednesday, as representatives from the Druze community reached an agreement with government officials. This arrangement led to a deployment of security forces in Sahnaya and a withdrawal of armed Druze groups from the streets. Despite these steps, videos circulated online depicted troubling images of pro-government factions engaging in acts of aggression against captured Druze individuals, further exacerbating fears and tensions in the community.
Al-Hijri’s condemnation of the acts of violence reflects a broader unease within the Druze community, which has historically sought peaceful coexistence in a country marked by sectarian divisions. He emphasized the need for stability, warning against trust in a governmental authority perceived to be complicit in violence against its own citizens.
The situation poses significant challenges for Syria’s new leadership, which has emerged following the political shifts that removed long-standing ruler Bashar al-Assad from power in December. Increasing violence and the potential for further sectarian strife destabilize efforts to enact a cohesive political transition.
Notably, Israeli officials, including Defence Minister Israel Katz, have expressed their support for the Druze people, signaling a willingness to take military action should the Syrian government fail to provide adequate protection for this minority community.
In light of these developments, Syrian authorities have firmly rejected calls for foreign intervention, emphasizing a commitment to national unity as the foundation for peace and stability. The ongoing tensions among religious factions in Syria highlight the complexities of maintaining social harmony in a divided nation, where historical grievances continue to influence the present landscape.