The political crisis that began with the fall of the Ba'ath regime in Syria has not been resolved. Following the regime's collapse, control over western Syria was handed to the forces of HTS (Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham), a group with roots in the al-Nusra Front. These forces, influenced by Turkey, are trying to reshape the new Syria under a singular and Salafi ideology. A recent massacre targeting Alawites on the Mediterranean coast was a concrete example of this effort.

Who are the Druze?

In southern Damascus, the Druze community's demand for autonomy has clashed with the homogenizing pressures of HTS. This tension escalated into armed conflict at the end of April. The Druze, long pursuing an autonomous life since the time of Hafez al-Assad, have increasingly come into public focus due to these conflicts.

But, who are the Druze?

Origins in Egypt

The Druze faith emerged between the late 10th and early 11th centuries in what is now Egypt. Under the Fatimid Caliphate, the Druze, originally adherents of Shia Islam, gained recognition. The Fatimid Caliph al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah was considered by the Druze as the earthly manifestation of God. Their holy book is "Epistles of Wisdom" (Rasāʾil al-Ḥikmah). Notably, in the Druze faith, women hold equal religious rights to men. Due to such differences, the broader Islamic world labeled the Druze as "heretical."

Persecution and migration to mountainous areas

One of the Druze's key theological figures was Hamza ibn Ali. Ismail al-Druze, a radical practitioner of the doctrine, was ostracized by the Druze community because of his radical views, but the community continued to be called Druze. However, despite their efforts, the Druze could not escape persecution by the Muslim majority and were forced to retreat into mountainous regions.

They eventually settled in the mountainous areas of present-day Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine. This isolation led the Druze to become a closed-off community. Eventually, conversion to the faith ceased, and the Druze began to recognize only those born to Druze parents as members of their faith.

Autonomy under the Ottoman Empire

During the Ottoman era, the Druze lived within the Emirate of Mount Lebanon. Their closed and autonomous societal structure made them a significant political force. In the 17th century, under the leadership of Fakhr al-Din II, they maintained their autonomy and, although they occasionally clashed with Maronite Christians, they continued to coexist.

Political representation in Lebanon

In the 20th and 21st centuries, the Druze gained recognition through their resistance to colonialism. Following World War I, they resisted French colonial rule in Syria and Lebanon, and in 1925, led by Sultan al-Atrash, launched a revolt against the French.

After Lebanon gained independence in 1943, the Druze established the Progressive Socialist Party. Kamal Jumblatt and his son Walid Jumblatt became prominent figures in Lebanese politics. Following the 1989 Taif Agreement, the Druze secured eight seats in the 128-member Lebanese parliament.

Autonomy in Syria

In Syria, the Druze predominantly live in the Suwayda region. Since settling there in the 11th century, they maintained autonomy during the Ottoman era. Like in Lebanon, the Druze also led uprisings against French colonial rule in Syria. Although suppressed, their resistance became a symbol of defiance.

Between 1966 and 1970, Syria was ruled by Salah Jadid, known for his socialist policies and land reforms. His power was later seized by the Assad family. Nonetheless, the Druze continued to enjoy de facto autonomy under the Assad regime.

Targeted by ISIS and al-Nusra

During the civil war that erupted in 2011, the Druze remained neutral but became targets for extremist jihadist groups like ISIS and al-Nusra. In a 2018 ISIS attack, approximately 215 Druze were killed, and nearly 30 women and children were abducted.

Today, one of the main reasons the Druze reject the rule of HTS, formed from remnants of ISIS and al-Nusra, is because of the extremist ideology that labels the Druze as heretics and deems their killing as "obligatory."

Druze population

It is estimated that around 1.5 million Druze live around the world today.

About 700,000 reside in Syria’s Suwayda region, 300,000 in Lebanon, 150,000 in Israel, 30,000 in Jordan, and roughly 150,000 in diaspora communities across various countries.