Druze men demonstrate in solidarity with the Syrian Druze community near the border barrier in the village of Majdal Shams in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights on April 30, 2025. (Credit: Jalaa Marey/AFP)
The Druze, an offshoot community of Shiite Islam, has existed in the Middle East for over a millennium. They have survived persecution and attempted repression since the days of the Fatimid Caliph Ali al-Thaher, attempts by the Mongols, Mamlukes, Ottomans and even the French. The community has always been — more or less — in survival mode, with harsh political circumstances forcing them to become elite warriors. Today, the Druze community is once again caught in the eye of the storm amidst the developments in Syria. At least 100 people were killed and several were injured after clashes, triggered by a fake audio clip insulting the Prophet Muhammad circulating online, broke out on April 29 in Jaramana and Sahnaya near Damascus between local Druze gunmen and pro-government fighters. As the sectarian violence escalated, Israel attempted to...
The Druze, an offshoot community of Shiite Islam, has existed in the Middle East for over a millennium. They have survived persecution and attempted repression since the days of the Fatimid Caliph Ali al-Thaher, attempts by the Mongols, Mamlukes, Ottomans and even the French. The community has always been — more or less — in survival mode, with harsh political circumstances forcing them to become elite warriors. Today, the Druze community is once again caught in the eye of the storm amidst the developments in Syria. At least 100 people were killed and several were injured after clashes, triggered by a fake audio clip insulting the Prophet Muhammad circulating online, broke out on April 29 in Jaramana and Sahnaya near Damascus between local Druze gunmen and pro-government fighters. As the sectarian violence escalated, Israel...