The Druze: History, Political Role, and Current Conflict – Fact-Based Synthesis

Druse flag

Origins and Development of the Druze

The Druze form a deeply secretive religious minority in the Middle East, estimated today at 1–1.5 million people, primarily in Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan.

Their religion emerged in the 11th century under the Fatimid Caliph al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, blending Ismaili Shiism, Greek philosophy (especially Platonism), Gnosticism, and Sufi mysticism (Firro, 1992; Krämer, 2016; Momen, 1985).

Conversion is not permitted; the Druze faith is closed to outsiders, with its scriptures inaccessible to the public (Firro, 1992, p. 41). This insularity has fostered a strong, enduring communal identity.

Settlement and Demographics

The largest Druze population resides in Syria’s Suweida Governorate (Jabal al-Druze). Significant communities also live in Lebanon’s Chouf region, Israel’s Carmel and Golan regions, and parts of Jordan.

Estimates vary, but recent data from national statistics bureaus and the UNHCR (2023) support the 1–1.5 million figure.

Political Role and History

Lebanon

Druze have been pivotal in Lebanese politics since the 16th century, with rulers like Fakhr ad-Din II carving out semi-autonomous fiefdoms (Firro, 1992, p. 61). The 19th century saw sectarian strife, but the community solidified its political influence under Kamal Jumblatt, founder of the Progressive Socialist Party. Leadership remains largely in the hands of the Jumblatt and Arslan families (The National, 2023).

Syria

In Syria, the Suweida region has long been a Druze stronghold. During the French Mandate, the area enjoyed administrative autonomy (Firro, 1992, p. 142). Post-independence, the Druze were integrated into state institutions, but tensions with the central government persisted. The Syrian civil war saw Druze form local militias for self-defense, wary of both rebel and regime forces.

By July 2025, Suweida became a flashpoint as clashes erupted between Druze, Bedouin groups, and Syrian government troops, with reports of hundreds killed and widespread displacement (Reuters, 15.7.2025; BBC, 17.7.2025). Israel, citing the protection of Druze coreligionists, launched airstrikes on Syrian military targets (Haaretz, 15.7.2025).

Israel

Druze in Israel are subject to conscription and serve prominently in the military and police. Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif is the spiritual leader.

Despite their service, the 2018 Nation-State Law reinforced their status as non-Jewish minorities, sparking protests and demands for equal rights (Haaretz, 6.8.2018; Times of Israel, 9.8.2018).

Transnational Ties and Solidarity

Family and religious networks span Lebanon, Syria, and Israel. During the Syrian conflict, Israeli Druze mobilized to aid coreligionists across the border, reflecting both communal solidarity and the unique geopolitical position of the Druze (Haaretz, 14.7.2025; Ynet, 13.7.2025).

Political Dynamics

• Syrian Government: Claims its forces are protecting civilians, but evidence suggests complicity in or tolerance of violence against Druze.

• Israel: Justifies military strikes as protective, but this risks regional escalation.

• Druze Leadership: Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri (Syria) accuses the state of violence and rejects integration; Taymur Jumblatt (Lebanon) and Talal Arslan remain key figures regionally.

• International Response: The UN, US, and EU demand adherence to international law and minority protections. Ceasefires are fragile, with no lasting resolution in sight.

Current events and reporting on Suweida, Syria (July 13–18, 2025)

The latest wave of violence in Suweida, southern Syria, began on July 13, 2025, with an attack on a Druze merchant. According to independent monitoring organizations such as the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (July 14, 2025) and local Syrian activist portals (Sweida 24, July 13, 2025), the incident was reduced to clashes between Bedouin and Druze groups. In the following years, the conflict has become increasingly severe, as documented by reporting by the news magazine SPIEGEL (July 16, 2025) and Syria Direct (July 14, 2025).

The Syrian government deployed troops to Suweida on July 15, 2025, to restore control. According to the Reuters news agency (July 15, 2025) and the BBC (July 15, 2025), further casualties and serious human rights violations, including targeted attacks on civilians and the destruction of homes, have occurred. The news portals Haaretz (July 15, 2025) and Times of Israel (July 15, 2025) report that Israel is carrying out airstrikes on Syrian military targets, explicitly citing the protection of the Druze minority.

There are some conflicting reports regarding the number of dead: While the local Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (July 15–17, 2025) and activists report several hundred victims, international news magazines such as Die Zeit (July 17, 2025), Frankfurter Rundschau (July 17, 2025), Die Welt (July 17, 2025), and the Tagesschau portal (July 17, 2025) also confirm the high number of victims and the dramatic humanitarian situation – including deaths from targeted attacks, looting, and a catastrophic supply situation with food, water, and medicine.

A fragile ceasefire was announced on July 16, 2025. According to Deutsche Welle (July 16, 2025) and Syria Direct (July 18, 2025), a limited withdrawal of Syrian troops subsequently began, but attacks against civilians continued. Security responsibility has been partially transferred to local Druze leaders, but the situation remains unstable, according to SPIEGEL (July 17, 2025) and Reuters (July 17, 2025). The United Nations is calling for access for humanitarian aid and protection of civilians (UN News, July 17, 2025).

COMMENT

The violence in Suweida erupts against the backdrop of a steady decline in the Syrian central government's influence over the province.

Since the transfer of power in Damascus at the end of 2024, the presence of Syrian security forces in Suweida has been significantly reduced, with local militias from the Druze and Bedouin communities demonstrably assuming security and administrative responsibilities.

Christian groups are also present. The region has experienced regular tensions between these groups since the beginning of 2025, as documented by local media and monitoring centers.

In July 2025, these tensions escalated following attacks on Druze civilians by Bedouins, as confirmed by witnesses and local reporters.

This resulted in armed clashes in Suweida town and surrounding villages. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and international news media report several hundred deaths and the displacement of numerous civilians. Health and infrastructure services in the province have demonstrably been compromised, a finding confirmed by aid organizations.

According to published media reports, Turkey and Jordan maintain ties with various groups in southern Syria. The Syrian government is no longer able to assert complete control in Suweida or establish long-term, unified administrative structures. International aid organizations report access difficulties and a lack of sufficient support for the civilian population.

The claim that former Islamist groups have advanced into Suweida cannot be substantiated by publicly verifiable sources based on the current state of facts. There are isolated reports of unrest in border regions, but there are no targeted advances into the core area. In this respect, Suweida differs from provinces such as Daraa or Idlib, which are known to be more heavily affected by Islamist groups.

According to the sources mentioned, the situation in Suweida remains more uncertain than in recent years. Sustainable stabilization depends on the restoration of unified administrative and security structures, which is currently being worked on. Further developments are uncertain.

Glossary

Bedouins

Traditional nomads or semi-nomads of Arab origin, living in the Middle East, including southern Syria.

Damascus:

Capital city of Syria.

Daraa

City and province in southern Syria.

Druze

Religious minority living in Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan.

Humanitarian organizations

Groups providing assistance in crisis and conflict zones.

Idlib

Province in northwestern Syria.

Israel

Country in the Middle East, bordering Syria and the Golan Heights.

Jordan

Country to the south of Syria.

Airstrikes

Military attacks from the air, using aircraft or drones.

Militias

Armed groups not belonging to a national army.

Notables

Local leaders or influential figures.

Periphery

Areas distant from the administrative center of a country.

Syrians

People of Syria; in political context, refers to the government or state institutions.

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR):

Independent project based in the UK reporting on developments in Syria.

Syria Direct

Independent news portal focused on Syria.

Sweida 24

Local news portal based in Suweida province, Syria.

Suweida

Province in southern Syria with a Druze-majority population.

Turkey

Country to the north of Syria.

Displacement

Movement of people from their homes due to violence or conflict.

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The content of this article has been produced in alignment with the Working Definition of Antisemitism adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA). Criticism of state or political actors – including the government of the State of Israel – is expressed within the bounds of legitimate opinion, based on verifiable sources, and does not constitute delegitimization, demonization, or the application of double standards. The editorial team explicitly rejects all forms of antisemitic statements or representations.