SYRIA’S SHARAA SAYS PROTECTING DRUZE CITIZENS IS ‘OUR PRIORITY’
In a rare public statement, Syrian Vice President Farouk al-Sharaa has emphasized the government’s commitment to protecting the Druze minority, calling their safety and well-being a top national priority. The statement comes amid growing tensions and reports of renewed violence in southern Syria, particularly in the province of Suwayda, where the majority of the country’s Druze population resides.
Speaking during a high-level security and political meeting in Damascus, Sharaa addressed concerns raised by local Druze leaders and international observers about the deteriorating security situation in Druze-majority areas. “The protection of all Syrians is a core duty of the state, and the Druze community is an inseparable part of the Syrian national fabric,” he said. “We are taking all necessary measures to ensure their security, dignity, and freedom.”
The Druze, a small religious sect that split from Islam over a thousand years ago, have traditionally maintained a position of cautious neutrality during Syria’s prolonged civil war. While some Druze have joined government forces, others have formed local militias to protect their towns and villages from extremist factions, particularly ISIS and al-Qaeda-linked groups. In recent months, however, clashes between local armed groups, government forces, and unidentified militias have reignited fears of marginalization and abandonment among the Druze population.
Several incidents in Suwayda have alarmed both the local population and human rights monitors. Armed kidnappings, assassinations, and disputes between security forces and local leaders have contributed to growing instability in the province. Activists say that some Druze villages have been left vulnerable due to shifting alliances and a perceived lack of commitment from Damascus.
Sharaa’s comments appeared aimed at reassuring the Druze community, whose leaders have become increasingly vocal in their criticism of the government’s failure to maintain law and order. “Our brothers and sisters in Suwayda have voiced legitimate concerns,” Sharaa acknowledged. “We are responding with reinforcements, development initiatives, and direct engagement with community leaders.”
Observers note that the government’s interest in Suwayda may be strategic as well as humanitarian. The province borders Jordan and is critical to maintaining control over southern Syria. Moreover, keeping the Druze loyal—or at least neutral—is key to preventing further fragmentation in a country already fractured along sectarian and ethnic lines.
Meanwhile, Druze leaders have called for more than just words. They are demanding concrete actions: the disbanding of rogue militias, the return of kidnapped civilians, and economic support for their struggling communities. “We need protection, yes,” said a prominent cleric in Suwayda, “but we also need jobs, infrastructure, and respect.”
International response to the statement has been cautious. While some welcomed the vice president’s pledge, others pointed to Syria’s long history of marginalizing minority voices. Human Rights Watch has urged the Syrian government to uphold its commitments and avoid using minority concerns as political leverage.
Whether Sharaa’s statement signals a genuine shift in policy or a symbolic gesture remains to be seen. For now, Syria’s Druze community waits — wary but hopeful — that their safety truly is a national priority.