Syrian Jihadi Group 'Ansar Al-Sunnah Battalions' Threatens To Target Druze, As Other Syrian Jihadis Call To 'Close Druze File,' Reject Coexistence
On July 13, 2025, clashes broke out between Druze militias and Bedouin tribesmen in the predominantly Druze city of Al-Suwayda', in southern Syria. The fighting, which escalated over subsequent days and expanded across Al-Suwayda' governorate, has so far killed dozens of people and injured hundreds more, prompting the Syrian Defense Ministry and Interior Ministry's Public Security Administration (PSA) to deploy forces to the city, which military forces of the new government had refrained from entering following the December 2024 collapse of the Assad regime. A July 15 ceasefire agreement between the government and local Druze notables quickly collapsed, and fighting remains ongoing.
As the fighting rages, Syrian jihadis, including both supporters and opponents of the new government – linked to disbanded jihadi group Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) – have incited against Druze, portraying them as non-Muslims, treacherous enemies of Sunnis, and collaborators with Assad regime supporters.[1]
Ansar Al-Sunnah Battalions Threatens To Target Druze
On July 15, the Syrian jihadi "Ansar Al-Sunnah [Supporters of Sunnis] Battalions" issued a brief statement by its leader, Abu 'A'ishah Al-Shami, threatening the Druze. The statement declares: "What our mujahideen did a few months ago – killing, punishment, and displacement in the ranks of the Nusayri [a pejorative term for Alawite] sect – we will repeat – Allah willing – in the coming days in the lands of the infidels belonging to the Druze religion in the land of Al-Suwayda'. They should know that our hand will reach them, when they thought they were safe. And Allah is the ruler, and He is the best helper."[2]
The reference to attacks on Alawites apparently refers to the involvement of the group's fighters in acts of violence against Alawites during a wave of unrest that swept the Syrian coastal areas on March 6.[3]
Syrian Jihadis Reject Coexistence With Druze "Sectarians," Urge "Retaliation"
At the same time, other Syrian jihadis incited against the Druze, declaring them enemies of Islam and calling on the government to forcefully subdue them.
On July 14-15, Syrian jihadi Abu Muhammad Nasr published Telegram posts asserting that "false coexistence" with "esotericist sects" such as the Druze brings calamity. He warned that "if the Druze file is not completely closed, we will never be able to close any file afterward," claiming that Israel will support "any [future] project of secession and rebellion" in Syria. Asserting that "the Druze are no less criminal than the Nusayris [a pejorative term for Alawites]," he claimed that they will side with any "enemy of Islam" if given the chance, and that history testifies to their "constant treachery."[4]
In July 15 Telegram posts, Syrian jihadi cleric Abu Yahya Al-Shami called for "inghimas" [commando-style raids] "in every village, in every neighborhood" to "close the Al-Suwayda' file." Declaring that it is forbidden to withdraw from Al-Suwayda' and that it must be "purified from the criminals," he asserted that the battle is not between the government and the Druze but between a "revolutionary nation and criminal sectarians."[5]
The pro-HTS "Murasil Maydani" Telegram channel shared a video of fighters attacking Druze "to defend our noble Prophet [Muhammad]," whom it alleged was insulted by "[Assad regime] remnants and mercenaries of [Druze religious leader Hikmat] Al-Hijri." A second video was shared of a march, where men waved white jihadi flags and those of the new Syrian government, while shouting "The Druze is an enemy of Allah." The channel commented with the Quranic verse "Kill them wherever you come upon them and drive them out of the places from which they have driven you out" (2:191), and declared that "the time has come for retaliation" against Druze militias which fought alongside the Assad regime.[6]
The Ansar Al-Sunnah Battalions is an obscure Syrian Salafi-jihadi group which in February began claiming attacks on religious minorities, including Alawites, Druze, and Christians. The group uses Islamic State (ISIS) shari'a courses to train its members, quotes official ISIS productions, and praises the organization, but has not become an official ISIS affiliate by swearing allegiance to its caliph. The group is headed by Abu 'A'ishah Al-Shami, who reportedly defected from HTS and formed the group in Idlib prior to the December 2024 fall of the Assad regime. Although it views forces of the new government as apostates from Islam who may be killed, it currently prioritizes targeting minorities.[7]
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