Fri Feb 28 12:20:56 UTC 2025: ## Druze in Southern Syria Form Military Council After Assad’s Fall

**Suwayda, Syria –** Following the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, the Druze community in southern Syria’s Suwayda province has formed the Suwayda Military Council, a coalition of local groups aimed at protecting the community from external threats and government oppression. The announcement comes amidst uncertainty surrounding the country’s new interim leadership under Ahmad al-Sharaa.

The Druze, a unique ethnic and religious minority, have historically faced threats and suffered massacres at the hands of ISIS. While the Assad regime maintained a cautious control over Suwayda since 2015, the fall of Assad led to deteriorating security and the loss of government support for essential goods. The new council aims to fill this security void, safeguarding civilians and coordinating with other factions.

The council’s formation, initially emerging as the Interim Military Council in December, is seen by some as a response to the withdrawal of Syrian Arab Army forces from the province. However, not all Druze leaders support the initiative, with Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajri, the community’s spiritual leader, accusing the council of separatism.

The council’s commander, Tareq Al Shoufi, a former Syrian Arab Army officer, has stated the council’s goals include integration into a unified Syrian army and promotion of secularism and democracy. The council’s flag incorporates elements similar to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) flag, reflecting a potential for cooperation.

The situation remains complex. The interim president, Ahmad al-Sharaa (also known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani), a former leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has met with a Suwayda delegation, but concerns remain within the community about his past. Furthermore, while some members of the council have expressed pro-Israel sentiments, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly stated Israel’s commitment to protecting the Druze community in southern Syria.

While the council is welcomed by some civilians as a step towards protection and exerting pressure on the government, concerns remain about the council’s long-term effectiveness and the uncertain political landscape of post-Assad Syria. The future of the Suwayda Military Council and its role in the broader Syrian conflict remains to be seen.

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