Hosting the conversation

Middle East Experience

Latest News

Explainer-Who are the Druze and why does Israel say it is hitting Syria for their sake?

(Reuters) -Violence in Syria pitting the Islamist-led government against members of the Druze community has put a spotlight on the small but influential minority. Straddling Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Israel and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, the Druze occupy a special niche in the region's complex politics.Israel has cited protecting the Druze as a reason for attacking forces from the Islamist-led government this week.WHO ARE THE DRUZE?
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Explainer-Who are the Druze and why does Israel say it is hitting Syria for their sake?

After days of bloodshed, residents of Syria's Sweida confront devastation

Residents emerged from their homes to scenes of devastation on Thursday after government forces withdrew from the Syrian Druze-majority city of Sweida, leaving behind looted shops, burned homes and bodies littering the streets after days of violence."What I saw of the city looked as if it had just emerged from a flood or a natural disaster," Hanadi Obeid, a 39-year-old doctor, told AFP.What started as deadly clashes between local Druze fighters and Bedouin tribes on Sunday quickly escalated after government forces were deployed to the province the following day.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: After days of bloodshed, residents of Syria's Sweida confront devastation