According to AFP, a delegation of about 60 Druze religious leaders from Syria crossed the ceasefire line in the Golan Heights to Israel on Friday, marking the first such visit in nearly 50 years. The delegation traveled in three buses, accompanied by Israeli military vehicles, to the village of Majdal Shams in the occupied Golan Heights, before heading north to visit the Nabi Shu’ayb shrine near Tiberias and meeting with the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Israel, Sheikh Muwaffaq Tarif. This visit stirred tensions within Syria.
Currently, the spotlight is on the Druze community, with discussions about the possibility of a deal similar to the one made by Syria’s transitional president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Since the fall of Assad’s regime last December, there have been many questions about the fate of the Druze community. Israeli statements regarding their intention to “defend the Druze of Syria,” along with their military presence in southern Syria, have added complexity to the situation surrounding the Druze.
The Druze, known as the “Unitarians” (Al-Muwahhidun), practice a monotheistic faith and are also referred to as “Banu Ma’ruf.” Their community is spread mainly across Lebanon, Syria, Israel, and Jordan, with scattered populations in other areas. Historically, they played a significant role in the Levant, from participating in the Battle of Hattin against the Crusaders in 1187, to later collaborating with the Ayyubids and Zengids. In the 19th century, they supported the Ottomans against Muhammad Ali Pasha’s campaign in the Levant.
Following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, the Druze in Syria aligned with the Arab Revolt, with Sultan Pasha al-Atrash playing a pivotal role. The Druze also resisted the French mandate, notably during the Great Syrian Revolt in 1925. Today, the Druze community in Syria numbers around 700,000, primarily in the Suwayda, Salkhad, and Jabal al-Druze regions.
The Druze have mostly tried to remain neutral during the Syrian conflict since 2011, refusing mandatory military service but forming local armed committees for self-defense. Although their involvement in the broader opposition has been minimal, their position remains precarious, especially after recent military offensives by opposition forces like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which triggered concerns about Syria’s future.
Despite the transitional government led by Ahmad al-Sharaa stating it would uphold the 1974 agreement with Israel, there is rising anxiety among the Druze in Syria, particularly those in the Golan Heights who have consistently refused Israeli citizenship and remain loyal to Syria. Israel has expressed its commitment to preventing groups like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham or the new Syrian army from entering southern Syria, emphasizing the need for disarmament in the region and warning of the ongoing threat posed to the Druze community. This situation highlights the delicate balance the Druze must navigate between maintaining their historical identity and securing their future amid the shifting dynamics of the Syrian conflict.
