Israel is bombing Syria to protect Druze big who are they? They are majority in…

In what has heightened fears of renewed Israeli strikes on against minorities, Syria’s military on Tuesday entered a stronghold for the Druze community in the country’s south. The move came after clashes broke out over the weekend between Druze forces and Bedouin tribes in the southern city of Suwayda, leaving 30 people dead and injuring dozens more.

The intervention by Syrian government was made after 18 of its soldiers were also killed in violent clashes.

Who are the Druze?

The Druze, who form a majority in the Suwayda province, are an Arab sect of roughly one million people who primarily live in Syria. The community was at times caught between the forces of the former Assad regime and extremist groups during Syria’s ten-year civil war. In Syria, the Druze community is concentrated around three main provinces close to the Israeli-occupied Golan heights in the south of the country. Originating in Egypt in the 11th century, the group practices an offshoot of Islam which permits no converts – either to or from the religion – and no intermarriage.

Why are Syrian forces clashing with them?

The main reason of clash between Syria’s new government and the Druze is disarmament of Druze militias and integration. Al-Sharaa, seeking to consolidate armed factions under a unified military, has been unable to secure agreements with the Druze, who firmly insist on retaining their weapons and independent militias.

After overthrowing longtime dictator Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s new President Ahmed al-Sharaa pledged inclusion and vowed to protect all of Syria’s diverse communities, but Sunni extremist forces loyal to him have continued to violently confront religious minorities.

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