Druze

May 7, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Can Syria’s New Government Protect the Country’s Minorities?

Syria cannot hope to rebuild itself if it fails in preventing sectarian tensions from erupting into wide-scale violence.

May 4, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Israel renews airstrikes in Syria as sectarian violence flares

Israel carried out several rounds of airstrikes in Syria between April 30 and May 3 that targeted an area near the presidential palace in Damascus and various sites containing military assets. Israel conducted...

May 2, 2025 | |

‘Clear Message to the Syrian Regime’: Israel Conducts Airstrike Near Syrian President’s Palace as Druze Minority Faces Attacks

Israel Will Protect Syrian Druze: Israeli warplanes bombed a target adjacent to the Syrian presidential palace in Damascus on May 2 as attacks on the Druze minority have continued....

April 30, 2025 | |

‘Warning Operation’: Israeli Drones Strike Pro-Government Forces Clashing With Druze Factions in Syria

Israeli Officials Reiterate Pledge to Protect Druze: Israel has conducted drone strikes on the outskirts of Damascus, targeting Sunni extremists who attacked members of the Syrian...

April 30, 2025 | Ahmad Sharawi |

Clashes erupt between Druze militias and pro-government forces in Syria

Sectarian tensions are flaring again in Syria after a series of clashes erupted in the Damascus suburb of Jaramana, a diverse area home to Druze, Christian, and Muslim communities. Reports indicate...

April 13, 2025 | David Daoud |

Naim Qassem explains Hezbollah’s vision for the future in first long-form interview

On March 09, Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem gave his first lengthy interview to Manar Sabbagh from Al Manar, Hezbollah’s satellite TV station, after assuming his post. Qassem’s predecessor,...

March 31, 2025 | |

Syrian Interim President Announces New Transitional Government

President Announces Cabinet: Syrian transitional government leader Ahmad al-Sharaa announced a new government cabinet on March 29, filling 22 ministerial positions over the weekend....

March 25, 2025 | Hussain Abdul-Hussain |

Who Destroyed Lebanon: Hezbollah or the Banks?

A “bloc” of lawmakers, political parties, media outlets, and non-governmental organizations are peddling a platform that distracts attention from the paramount importance of disarming Hezbollah and...

March 24, 2025 | Hussain Abdul-Hussain |

Syria’s New Leader Is an Autocrat; Will That Be Good or Bad for Israel and Turkey?

Islamist or not, Syria’s self-proclaimed interim president, Ahmad Sharaa, seems like he will do anything to keep power.

March 19, 2025 | Ahmad Sharawi |

Syria’s New Constitution: A Shift Toward Unchecked Presidential Powers

Days before his troops overthrew the regime of Bashar al-Assad, Ahmad al-Sharaa said that Syria deserves a political system in which no “single ruler makes arbitrary decisions.” Yet now, as the country’s...

March 18, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Israel widens campaign against former regime military sites in southern Syria

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out airstrikes in southern Syria on the evening of March 17, targeting a number of sites.

March 15, 2025 | |

‘Historic, Festive Day’: Elated Crowds of Israeli Druze Welcome Syrian Druze Clerics Visiting Israel

First Syrian Druze Crossing in Half a Century: Nearly 100 Syrian Druze religious leaders traveled to Israel on March 14 for the first time in 50 years.

March 13, 2025 | |

‘No Impunity’: Israel Strikes Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Damascus

Daylight Sortie Over Syrian Capital: The Israeli Air Force struck a Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) command center in Damascus on March 13. The site, located in the Dummar suburb...

March 11, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

What Does Israel Want With Syria?

As Syria faces continued conflict, Israel may be planning a wider confrontation with the new government.

March 11, 2025 | |

Israel Says Syrian Druze Permitted to Work in Golan Heights

Defense Minister Invites Syrian Druze to Work in Israel: Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on March 9 that Israel would permit Syrian Druze to work in the country’s...

March 9, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Israeli defense chief assesses military readiness along Israel’s border with Syria

The new chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, visited northern Israel on March 9 and met with IDF commanders along the border with Syria. According...

March 4, 2025 | Hussain Abdul-Hussain |

Lebanon Must Relearn Democracy, Debate Peace with Israel

Druze lawmaker Wael Abou-Faour said that U.S. officials have broached the subject of peace between Lebanon and Israel with top Lebanese leaders, but argued that peace would spark clashes...

March 3, 2025 | |

‘Nothing in Our Family Is Hostile to the State’: One Dead After ‘Mentally Ill’ Druze Man Carries Out Terror Attack in Haifa

Suspect Yelled ‘Allahu Akbar’ Before Stabbing Civilians: A terrorist killed one man and injured four others during a March 3 stabbing spree inside Haifa’s Lev Hamifratz transit...

March 3, 2025 | |

Israel SitRep: March 3, 2025

Today’s Issue: | One Killed, Four Wounded in Terror Attack in Haifa; Perpetrator Was Druze With Dual Israeli-German Citizenship | Halevi in Leaked Remarks: Hamas ‘Defeated Militarily and Tactically’...

March 3, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Can Syria Survive?

On February 25, Syria held a National Dialogue Conference, which is supposed to help the country come together after years of civil war and the toppling of the Assad regime. Syria’s new president,...