The spiritual leader of the Druze community in Lebanon, Sheikh Aql Sami Abi al-Mona, at an "exceptional" meeting in Beirut, March 3, 2025. (Credit: NNA)
Druze leader Walid Joumblatt seems particularly concerned about recent developments in southern Syria, home to a large Druze population. On Sunday, he addressed the fate of his community in the region in a brief press conference, following what was described as an “extraordinary” inter-Druze summit. Joumblatt, who has for years advocated for the unity of a community split between Lebanon, Syria, Israel and Jordan — and of which he is a leading figure — accused Israel of trying to “fragment the region” by playing on the fears of minorities. His press conference, held as part of the preparations for the March 16 commemoration of his father Kamal’s assassination was intended to sound the alarm and warn against Israeli tactics designed to isolate the community in Syria and even in neighboring countries, by positioning Tel Aviv as its...
Druze leader Walid Joumblatt seems particularly concerned about recent developments in southern Syria, home to a large Druze population. On Sunday, he addressed the fate of his community in the region in a brief press conference, following what was described as an “extraordinary” inter-Druze summit. Joumblatt, who has for years advocated for the unity of a community split between Lebanon, Syria, Israel and Jordan — and of which he is a leading figure — accused Israel of trying to “fragment the region” by playing on the fears of minorities. His press conference, held as part of the preparations for the March 16 commemoration of his father Kamal’s assassination was intended to sound the alarm and warn against Israeli tactics designed to isolate the community in Syria and even in neighboring countries, by positioning Tel Aviv...
