Druze

Jumblatt Condemns Israeli Strikes on Syria, Urges Support for Political Resolution

Former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt strongly condemned the latest Israeli airstrikes on Syrian territory, including areas near Damascus, calling them a “flagrant violation of Syrian sovereignty” and warning that they “do not contribute to the political resolution” currently underway with Syrian President Ahmad ...

Joumblatt Meets Al-Sharaa, Calls for Accountability Over Tensions in Syria

In a surprise visit to the Syrian capital on Friday, former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Joumblatt met with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa at the People’s Palace. The private meeting marks a notable shift in regional political dynamics and comes amid rising tensions in southern Syria. Joumblatt left the palace without making any ...

Sheikh Sami Abi Al-Muna Urges Unity and Regional Stability Amidst Tensions in Syria

In a recent meeting at the Druze Unitarian Community House on Friday, Sheikh Sami Abi Al-Muna, the Grand Mufti of the Druze community, addressed a gathering of Arab ambassadors and accredited officials, emphasizing the importance of unity in the face of mounting tensions in Syria. He denounced the recent bloody events in Syria, labeling them as ...

Lebanon to Grant Exceptional Entry Permits to Jaramana and Sahnaya Residents

Lebanese General Security is set to issue exceptional one-month entry permits to residents of the Syrian towns of Jaramana and Sahnaya, sources told An-Nahar newspaper on Friday. The decision comes as part of ongoing security coordination between Lebanon and Syria amid escalating tensions in southern Syria. The permits will allow residents of the ...

Abi al-Muna Urges Arab Action to Stop Violations Against Druze in Syria

Sheikh Sami Abi al-Muna, the spiritual leader of Lebanon’s Druze community, spoke over the phone with Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Walid Bukhari on Thursday. Abi al-Muna briefed him on the alarming developments in the town of Ashrafiyat Sahnaya and surrounding areas near Damascus, Syria, where clashes are still ongoing between Druze and Sunni ...

Syria's Druze Take Up Arms to Defend Their Town Against Islamists

Syrian estate agent Fahd Haidar shuttered his business and got out his rifle to defend his hometown of Jaramana when it came under attack this week by Islamists loyal to the new government. Seven Druze fighters were among the 17 people killed in the Damascus suburb as clashes raged from Monday into Tuesday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights ...

Israel Strikes Syria, Citing Threat to Druze Community Amid Rising Tensions

Israel has confirmed a strike in southern Syria targeting what it described as an "extremist group" preparing to attack members of the Druze minority in the town of Sahnaya, near Damascus. According to a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office, the operation served as a warning and was aimed at preventing further ...

Joumblatt Steps In to End Deadly Clashes Near Damascus as Israel Strikes Syria

A ceasefire between gunmen linked to Syrian authorities and Druze fighters was reportedly reached on Wednesday, following intensive mediation by former Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) leader Walid Joumblatt. The effort involved contacts with the new Syrian administration, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan, according to al-Markazia news ...

Syria Monitor: 14 Killed as Druze Fighters Clash with Security Forces Near Damascus

A Syria war monitor on Tuesday said 14 people, including seven Druze fighters, were killed in sectarian clashes near Damascus, as authorities blamed "gunmen" and vowed to pursue those involved. The overnight clashes, sparked by the circulation on social media of an audio recording deemed blasphemous, were met with condemnation from ...

From Homs to Damascus: An Alarming Escalation of Tensions Between Sunnis and Druze

Sectarian tensions between the Sunni and Druze communities are alarmingly resurging in Syria. From Homs to the outskirts of Damascus, to Sweida, a Druze heartland south of Syria, several violent incidents have reignited sectarian divisions in a country still deeply scarred by more than a decade of war. Clashes in the Damascus suburb of Jaramana ...

Syrian Druze Plan First Israel Pilgrimage

A delegation of Syrian Druze clerics is planning to visit a pilgrimage site in Israel on Friday for the first time since Israel's creation in 1948, a source close to the group said. "A delegation of dozens of Druze clerics will visit Israel on Friday," the source said, adding that it follows an invitation from the Druze community in Israel. "The ...