The Drews community, historically concentrated in areas around Suveda and Jabal al-Draws in Southern Syria, is careful with long-term external threats. While small drews are present near the community Golan Heights, they are part of a large network of drew population spread over Syria and Lebanon.
Drews like Kurds or Yazidis are a unique ethnic minority in the Middle East, followed Drews, which includes the principles of Islam, Hinduism and even classical Greek philosophy in their religion. While many were serving either in the army or local security units, they faced a massacre at the hands of ISIS. He was also suffering after the war due to neglect and continued disputes about the efforts of the pre -rule to restore the authority over Suveda.
On 24 February, Armed Druz groups in South Suveda province of Syria announced the formation of the Suvva Military Council, a coalition of local groups that is dedicated to the drew community to save the community from external threats and government harassment. The announcement was made after the fall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and under the interim President Ahmed Al-Shra, against the backdrop of the country’s new leadership.
NDTV exclusive Daman, torture, slavery – Syrians remember the horrors of Assad rule
“For the Drews community, not much has changed. Since 2015, Suveda was under vigilant control of the Assad regime. State institutions worked, but security was limited. After Assad’s collapse, the situation remained a large extent, except the poor government support for bread and essential commodities,” Ahmed Al Shirif, a draus said that Syria said that NDT said that NDT said.
According to the council, its statement, the task of protecting citizens and public property, coordinating with other security groups and ensuring the stability of the region is assigned.
“Somehow, security improved, although the situation remains dangerous. Most of the gangs and Cartel in Suveda were supported by Asad, and when he fell, they also fell. Hayat Tahrir al -Sham (HTS) – led by Al -Shara – did not enter Suvveda completely Suvveda because people dismiss them, 36, NDTIs.” Idlib, Kunetra, and Western Rural Damascus have small druz communities. Some dreuses in Idlib were forced to convert to Islam under the al -Nussara Front – HTS – in a period of ten years. “
A long time decoction movement
Suwayda Military Council originally emerged as an interim military council in December last year, soon after Assad’s government collapsed. Its formation was a response to the deteriorating security situations after the return of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) forces from the province.
The commander of the council, a person, in his first public comments, said that a person named Tarek Al Shufi said that the Drews Body wants to integrate into an integrated Syrian army, which promotes secularism, democracy and decentralization as founding principles for justice and stability.
Not all the Druz leaders welcomed the initiative. Syrian drews spiritual leader, Sheikh Hikmat Al-Hajri, has rejected the council, accusing his members of separatism and insisted that they do not represent the drause community.
NDTV exclusive A glimpse of a Assad-free Syria, what does the future look like
“Many groups are unclear like SDF, Israel, or America, like the free Syrian army, disappeared for ten years before the night collapsed,” Mr. Al Sherf told NDTV.
Syrian interim president Ahmed Al-Shra, also known by Nom de-passed Abu Mohammad al-Julani, has met with a delegation of Suveda to discuss security concerns, political participation and economic situations.
However, there are apprehensions within the community given the past of Al-Shara as the leader of HTS.
“In Suveda, Islamists can never impose Islamic law in an area that is 90 percent of the drozes. Nevertheless, the general perception of Al -Shara is deteriorating as they have shown seriousness in the creation of a state. Transparency is not making any formal announcement, just a telegram group is announcing the President. Shareef told NDTV.
Symbol of resistance
The Suveda Military Council has adopted a flag similar to the Kurdish-Nedic Syrian democratic forces (SDF). However, this version has a Suveda governor with drains five-pointed stars.
The council has expressed openness to cooperate with SDF, accepting their shared struggle against terrorism and dictatorship. Since Assad’s decline, the council has been working to strengthen its impact, especially compiling a database of former SAA officials and internal security personnel.
Reports show that Tarek Al Shufi is leading the council, although there is very little information about it. A 2023 report suggests that he was one of the former SAA officials, who biased with the Drews community during the anti -Assad protest in Suveda. On 24 February, several local groups promised loyalty to the military council, including Bayrak Suleman bin Dowd Forces, headed by a person named Majed Najam Abu Ras.
“We demand complete demonetisation of southern Syria,” recently said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “We will not tolerate any threat to the Drews community in southern Syria.”
Abu Ras has expressed pro -Israeli sentiments on social media. He shared a post by Israeli Druz leader Suleman Abdul Latif, urging the young Druz to join the council in Suveda. In another example, he commented on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s comment about the defense of the Syrian drew, suggesting that Netanyahu’s message was aimed at al-show and HTS.
Citizens in the Drews community have welcomed the move.
“This is a good step to pressurize the government and provide security. But in the past, armed groups were disorganized in Suveda, and no major strength was ever made. It should be followed by political efforts.
Historically, Drees have removed themselves from radical Islam. Many people living in Israel have also served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
