Druze
A Hospital in the Crossfire
New Lines reports from Sweida National Hospital in southern Syria, which became a battleground in July, with doctors and nurses risking their lives, caught between warring Druze and Bedouin-aligned forces.
Sovereignty on the Line
The recent crisis in Sweida may have been sparked by hyperlocal conflicts between Druze and Bedouins, but through international pressure and disinformation it has become a potential turning point in Damascus’ halting efforts to exercise unified sovereignty.
Despite Calls for Calm, the Violence in Sweida Shows No Sign of Ending
Sweida, in southern Syria, a province once spared the worst of the country’s civil war, has become one of its most dangerous flash points. What was once an enclave of fragile calm is now a battlefield where sectarian fears, local militias, insurgent networks and outside powers collide.
Escalating Violence Engulfs Syria’s Druze Mountain
For months, Sweida in southern Syria has been a tinderbox. What began as violence between the Druze and Bedouin communities has escalated into a major security operation by Damascus and Israeli airstrikes on the capital.
The Balancing Act for Israeli Druze
For decades, Israel’s Druze citizens fulfilled their obligations as citizens in the belief that the state would reward their loyalty with equality. But Israel’s increasingly extremist government and regional sectarian violence have made them feel deeply fearful for their future — in Israel and throughout the region.
In Southern Syria, Tensions Simmer Between Druze and Bedouin Neighbors
Tensions are rising in Sweida between Druze and Bedouin communities. Clashes, attacks and mutual distrust have created a volatile situation, with villages living in fear of their neighbors.
Syria’s Druze Are Wary in the Wake of Attacks
Syria’s Druze have been targeted in attacks that have left them wary of trusting the state with their security, while Israel is exploiting the tensions to pursue its own aims. Interviews with those who have experienced the violence reveal a community under pressure and vigilant about its prospects.