The Syrian Civil War in Sweida and the Uncertain Future of the Druze Minority
The Escalating Conflict in Sweida
The tribal clashes that erupted in Syria’s southern province of Sweida in July 2025 have brought the Druze minority to a new crossroads. Sweida, long considered a semi-autonomous region, has once again come under the formal control of the Syrian army. According to reports as of the evening of July 18, clashes between Bedouin tribes and Druze militias have resulted in hundreds of deaths, thousands injured, and the complete devastation of the local economy. The situation has deteriorated to the point that the Druze religious leadership was compelled to request military intervention from the Syrian transitional government.
The southern Syrian region of Sweida holds particular strategic importance for Israel. Since Israel’s occupation of the Golan Heights in 1974, the Druze community has been used as a quiet buffer zone. For Israel, the Druze have been a reliable community, preventing the Syrian government from gaining direct access to Israel’s border for fifty years. However, following the establishment of the new Syrian transitional government under Ahmad al-Sharaa in 2025, the Syrian army has, for the first time, approached the Israeli border, causing significant security concerns for Israel.
The current situation is highly complex for the Druze community. During the recent clashes, the Druze leadership appealed for direct ground support from Israel, but Israel limited itself to airstrikes only. The Druze, who have cooperated with Israel for years, now feel isolated in the face of Bedouin attacks.
It should be noted that under Hafez al-Assad and Bashar al-Assad, the Druze militias enjoyed semi-autonomy within the Syrian state through agreements. However, the current civil war has forced the Druze population to seek refuge under the Syrian transitional government.
The Druze Religion and Cultural Identity
The Druze religion, with its secretive teachings and distinct beliefs, holds a unique identity in the Middle East. The religion originated in the 10th century during the Fatimid Caliphate in Egypt under Caliph al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, whom the Druze consider a divine incarnation. Although their beliefs are rooted in the Ismaili sect of Islam, over time, the Druze have evolved into a distinct religious identity. Druze beliefs do not include Islamic practices such as prayer, fasting, or pilgrimage. They believe in the reincarnation of souls, where a person is reborn in a new body after death. Instead of traditional concepts of heaven and hell, they believe in reaping the consequences of good and evil in this world. The Druze consider prophethood complete, and their core teachings are passed down through specific individuals across generations. Druze society is divided into two classes: the “Uqqal,” who are knowledgeable about religious secrets, and the “Juhhal,” who remain unaware of religious matters.
In the Druze religion, the Uqqal attend secretive worship sessions twice a week in places of worship called “Khalwat.” The Druze only marry within their community and do not allow individuals from other religions or sects to join their faith. Those who leave the religion face complete social boycott. Their culture places central importance on hospitality, tribal loyalty, respect for elders, and internal secrecy.
The Druze in Syria and Their Strategic Role
The largest Druze population in Syria resides in Sweida, also known as Jabal al-Druze. Additionally, significant Druze populations are present in the suburbs of Damascus, particularly in towns like Jaramana, which have largely remained aligned with the Syrian government. There is also a Druze presence in Syria’s Quneitra region, but the most significant and sensitive Druze population resides in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Druze in villages such as Majdal Shams, Buq’ata, Mas’ada, and Ein Qiniyye have been living under Israeli occupation for over half a century.
The Druze in the Golan have a contradictory relationship with Israel. After the 1981 Golan annexation, Israel offered them dual citizenship, but the majority rejected it, maintaining their Syrian identity. Although, since 2018, a small number of Druze have started accepting Israeli citizenship for economic benefits, the vast majority still identify as Syrian. According to Israeli official data, as of 2021, approximately 20% of Golan Druze accepted Israeli citizenship, while 80% refused.
Within Israel, over 150,000 Druze are full Israeli citizens and are subject to mandatory conscription in the Israeli army, making them the only Arab minority group required to serve. However, despite religious ties with Israeli Arab Druze, the Golan Druze differ in their national identity.
Politically, the Druze have consistently maintained themselves as an autonomous force in Syria with Israel’s support. During the Syrian civil war following the Arab Spring, Druze armed groups such as “Rijal al-Karama,” “Thawar al-Sweida,” and “Liwa Jabal al-Arab” gained greater autonomy through agreements with the Bashar al-Assad regime. In return, they fought alongside the Syrian army against groups like ISIS.
The current situation has put significant strain on the longstanding proxy partnership between Israel and the Druze. The ongoing crisis in Sweida raises a new question for the Druze community: whether they will pursue full reconciliation with the Syrian state or continue to rely on Israel, risking further uncertainty and civil war. Given the region’s current dynamics, it is not difficult to predict that in the coming years, the Druze will need to reassess their position. Caught between Israel’s limited support, the Syrian government’s military presence, and local conflicts, the social stability and survival of the Druze community are undergoing a new test.
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