Sweida

Silence after Sweida: What the Druze wish for in war-torn Syria

I offer you instead the story of a single family. That is all I can give you: not a theory of Syria nor a prediction of what is to come, but the voice of one of its daughters.

|BySAMUEL J. HYDE
People hold a Druze flag, following deadly clashes between Druze fighters, Sunni Bedouin tribes, and government forces, in Syria's predominantly Druze city of Sweida, Syria July 25, 2025.
A DRONE VIEW shows the remains of a destroyed tank, following deadly clashes between Druze fighters, Sunni Bedouin tribes and government forces, in Sweida in July.

Supporting the Druze vs keeping regional calm: Israel's dilemma in Syria - analysis

Experts debate whether Israel should back Druze independence, incorporate them in the defensive network, or try to avoid rocking the boat further.

|ByGIL LEWINSKY
People stand next to a destroyed tank turret, following deadly clashes between Druze fighters, Sunni Bedouin tribes, and government forces, in Syria's predominantly Druze city of Sweida, Syria July 25, 2025.

Sweida's Druze defy Damascus in a fight over self-determination, their fate in Syria

BEHIND THE LINES: The violence in Sweida may have subsided in recent weeks, but nothing has been resolved. It is almost certainly a matter of time until the next round. 

|ByJONATHAN SPYER
A member of the Syrian security forces stands on a military vehicle after Syrian troops entered the predominantly Druze city of Sweida on Tuesday following two days of clashes, in Sweida, Syria July 15, 2025

Syrian government captures Hezbollah cells operating near Israel

The Syrian forces confiscated missile launchers, 19 Grad missiles, anti-tank missiles, individual weapons, and large quantities of various ammunition during the operation

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN

Mr. Netanyahu, save the Druze – today! - opinion

Mr. Netanyahu, the Druze have proven their loyalty to Israel through blood and service. The time has come for Israel to prove its loyalty to them. Save the Druze, today.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2025ByODED J.K. FARAN
Women and children walk on land between Daraa and Sweida, Syria, July 17, 2025.

Sweida security shake-up highlights Syria’s struggle with Druze autonomy - analysis

Syria reassigns top security commanders in Sweida, aiming to calm Druze tensions as secession fears grow.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2025BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Tribal and bedouin fighters deploy in the western neighbourhood of southern Syria's predominantly Druze city of Sweida, amid clashes with Druze gunmen on July 19, 2025.

Syria detains defense, interior ministry members suspected of Sweida violence

Izzedin declined to say how many personnel were detained, but said they were Syrian nationals who carried out the atrocities in an individual capacity.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2025ByREUTERS
Syrian security forces walk together along a street, after clashes between Syrian government troops and local Druze fighters resumed in the southern Druze city of Sweida early on Wednesday, collapsing a ceasefire announced just hours earlier that aimed to put an end to the violence, July 16 2025

Druze in Syria consolidate control - but will they seek independence? - analysis

Druze leader Hikmat al-Hijri calls for a separate region in southern Syria, seeking autonomy after sectarian violence, with Israeli support amid rising tensions in the region.

AUGUST 31, 2025BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
A delegation of 100 Druze leaders from Syria visits northern Israel for the first time since 1973 on March 14, 2025. Israeli Druze proudly wave their own national flag alongside the Israeli flag in festivals and ceremonies, the writer points out.

Freed hostage Emily Damari meets Israeli Druze leader amid Sweida violence

Emily Damari noted the similarity between the pain felt by Israelis and Druze in their respective situations, Israelis with the war in Gaza and Druze with the violence erupting in Sweida. 

AUGUST 29, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Emily Damari prepping for surgery.

Netanyahu meets with Druze leaders in Julis, pledges action on Syria’s Sweida crisis

"We are brothers. Will Israel not extend a hand to save our Druze brothers? And we acted. When I understood the magnitude of the disaster, we acted immediately."

AUGUST 29, 2025ByIDAN KWELLER
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the Julis Local Council in northern Israel and met with Druze community spiritual leader Sheikh Moafaq Tarif and community MKs on August 29th, 2025.

'See the world through the eyes of a child': Tim Ballard on working to save Syria's children

Ex-DHS agent Tim Ballard is hailed by some as a hero and viewed by others as a controversial figure. During a recent trip to Syria, he took part in efforts to rescue children trapped in the conflict.

AUGUST 24, 2025ByFELICE FRIEDSON/THE MEDIA LINE
Women and children walk on land between Daraa and Sweida, Syria, July 17, 2025.

Integrating the Kurdish communit? Syria has more pressing concerns - analysis

Damascus is still trying to crack down on ISIS threats, and fund people who have returned from displaced persons camps. The gov't wants to focus on issues closer to home, such as Israel, and Sweida.

AUGUST 24, 2025BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, August 6, 2025.

Inside Israel-Syria meeting in Paris: Talks on de-escalating southern Syria, IDF withdrawal

Topics included: compliance with the 1974 cease-fire agreement, violence in southern Syria, smuggling and refugees

AUGUST 21, 2025ByRIZIK ALABI / THE MEDIA LINE
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, in Moscow, Russia, July 31, 2025.

Syrian Druze protest waving Israeli flags, call for annexation by Israel

Footage shared on TV and social media depicted armed Druze protesters in Sweida, Syria, wearing military vests with Israeli flags, calling for self-determination.

AUGUST 17, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Syrian Druze fly Israeli flag in Sweida, July 16, 2025.

Our 'Never Again' is Now

AUGUST 17, 2025ByDR SAWSAN KHEIR
A delegation from Na'amat, led by Hagit Pe'er, President of Na'amat Israel