Has Legitimizing HTS Opened The Door To Violence Against The Druze?

Memri

25-07-2025

Just days after U.S. Special Envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack stated that federalism does not work in Syria and emphasized the need for one army, one nation, and one government, armed groups affiliated with the military and security forces under Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) in Damascus launched a brutal attack against the Druze minority in Suwayda, a southern province of Syria.
These attacks have been carried out under the direct orders of the transitional president, Ahmad Al-Shara (Abu Muhammad Al-Joulani), and his cabinet ministers, as if they are apparently interpreting Mr. Barrack's statements as a green light to subjugate the remaining components of Syrian society.
The bloody attack resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Druze civilians, either through extrajudicial executions or indiscriminate shelling. In addition, there was systematic looting, theft, and burning of property. These acts were accompanied by violations specifically aimed at humiliation and the degradation of human dignity, as well as offenses against the Druze faith, such as forcibly moustache-shaving. This behavior is comparable to the Nazis' treatment of Jews during World War II and recalls the atrocities committed by ISIS against the Kurds in Kobani and Sinjar.
Ahmad Al-Sharaa (Abu Muhammad Al-Joulani)
The Heroic Resistance Of The Druze Fighters In Suwayda
The Druze constitute a unique community, known for its deep-rooted social traditions, a strong emphasis on knowledge, strong attachment to the land, and internal solidarity. Some of their traditions and lifestyle elements – such as growing long moustaches, distinctive dress styles, and a preference for living in mountain regions – bear notable similarities to those of the Yazidi Kurds.
Indeed, a Kurdish-Druze dynasty known as the Mandi Dynasty (Mand Prince) ruled the Mount of Kurds region (Çiyayê Kurmênc – Afrin and surrounding areas) in northwestern Syria until the early 17th century, before migrating to Mount Lebanon. Although the Druze speak Arabic, there Druze and Kurds, who are considered among the most ancient peoples of the Middle East, may have a shared origin.
The Druze community is spread across Syria, Lebanon, and Israel. Their population in Syria is estimated at around one million, primarily concentrated in Suwayda Governorate and the suburbs of Jaramana and Sahnaya near Damascus. Additionally, there are 18 Druze villages in Idlib, northwest Syria, whose residents were largely forced to flee and have been subjected to violations following Jabhat Al-Nusra's takeover – later known as HTS – a decade ago.
The IDF's intervention, at the request of the Druze community in Israel, played a decisive role in preventing a potential ethnic cleansing in the Mount of Druze in Suwayda. The airstrikes carried out by the IDF targeted the militants' supply lines to Suwayda, as well as on the General Command headquarters in Damascus, where the attack on the Druze was being coordinated. These strikes curbed the advance of the attacking groups and sent a firm message to Al-Joulani that he would pay a heavy price unless he halted his militants' offensive on Suwayda and withdrew them.
This proves that extremist Islamists respond only to a language of firmness coupled with force, as clearly demonstrated by the recent operations of the IDF and the statement by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
These actions gave a significant moral boost to the heroic resistance of the Druze fighters in Suwayda, who refused to submit to the threats of the HTS authorities and ultimately succeeded in repelling the attacking groups.
Nevertheless, threats persist of renewed attacks and repeated violations, as militants mobilize around Suwayda under the name of Bedouin tribal forces.
The International community Must Send A Clear Message To Al-Joulani
Given the ongoing violations and incitement against various components of the Syrian people including Kurds, Druze, Alawites, Christians, and liberal Sunnis, there is no doubt that Al-Joulani has repeatedly failed to meet the conditions emphasized by Western officials regarding the protection of minorities, the establishment of representative and inclusive governance, and the fight against terrorism.
Minorities continue to be subjected to violence, the government operates an Islamist regime of a single hue, marginalizes other communities. Furthermore, extremists and criminals accused of committing war crimes hold high-ranking positions in Al-Joulani's army and security apparatus.
The international community, particularly the United States and the European Union, must send a clear and firm message to Al-Joulani that the recent lifting of sanctions and diplomatic engagement with Damascus do not constitute a blank check authorizing him to unleash armed groups to commit violence against Syrians and marginalize key segments of society.
The incitement of violence and hatred targeting minorities and other societal components clearly demonstrate that lifting sanctions and channeling funds to the Damascus regime without making them conditional on the fulfillment of its commitments will serve to establish a regime similar to Iran's Wilayat Al-Faqih or Hamas's rule in Gaza, one that thrives on spreading hatred, repressing ethnic and religious minorities, and suppressing freedoms. This poses a serious threat to regional security and stability.
Despite the failure of the initial attack, the threat to the Druze in Suwayda continues, with the spiritual leadership of the Druze community declaring it a disaster zone. Voices are now rising among merchants and unions loyal to HTS, demanding a blockade of Suwayda, a ban on the entry of food and fuel, and the obstruction of financial transfers.
In response to this siege, which constitutes a crime against humanity, the spiritual leadership of the Druze Community has called for the opening of a border crossing with Jordan, as well as the establishment of a safe corridor linking Suwayda with Rojava. The Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration in North and East Syria (AANES) has already expressed its willingness to dispatch an urgent humanitarian aid convoy to Suwayda.
However, there are concerns that the Damascus authorities may obstruct the convoy's arrival, as they did previously when hindering aid deliveries to the coastal region following the massacres of Alawites in March, which claimed the lives of hundreds of civilians during a wave of sectarian violence carried out by the same groups that attacked Suwayda.
A Corridor Could Link Northeastern Syria To The Mount Of Druze Via Al-Tanf Or Palmyra
Opening such a corridor between the Kurdish region and Suwayda is practically possible, especially with the potential support of the U.S-led International Coalition. This corridor could link northeastern Syria to the Mount of Druze via Al-Tanf or Palmyra.
Such a step would not only break the humanitarian siege imposed on the Druze in Suwayda but also have significant strategic implications. The proposed corridor would enhance the effectiveness of Operation Inherent Resolve by improving coordination and mobility for joint operations targeting ISIS cells in the Syrian Badia. It would also foster a partnership between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Druze factions in Suwayda, aligned with coalition efforts, thereby bolstering the fight against extremism and reinforcing regional security.
If the plan succeeds, it could evolve into a trade partnership and a political agreement linking the State of Israel with Rojava, eventually extending to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Such a development would contribute to greater stability, security, and development throughout the region.
This vision is consistent with the core principles of the Abraham Accords, which would gain further momentum by the inclusion of the Kurds and Druze. Their participation would represent a united front against the malign ambitions of extremist groups.
The emergence of such an alliance would not only reshape geopolitical dynamics but also offer a new model for comprehensive post-conflict cooperation in the Middle East, based on mutual recognition, minority rights, and the rejection of extremism.
*Çeleng Omer, a prominent economist from Kurdish-led North and East Syria, is a former resident of Afrin and professor at Afrin University. He was forced to flee the region due to the ongoing Turkish occupation.