Israel's most recent attacks against government troops in Syria are an example of its use of the Druze minority group as a “pawn” in a wider strategy, analysts have told The National.
Days ago, members of the Druze community in Sweida and Bedouins clashed in a local dispute that soon escalated – bringing state intervention by Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara's army.
Soon after, videos began emerging of Al Shara linked-troops harassing and cracking down on Druze leaders. Israel launched attacks, saying that it would protect the Druze in Syria. Its army attacked key symbols of power in Damascus including the presidential palace, the Defence Ministry and the army headquarters.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also warned Israeli Druze living in the occupied Golan Heights against flocking to Sweida, but some did anyway.
The issues have brought back concerns of sectarian bloodshed in post-Bashar Al Assad Syria, particularly with the Druze not enjoying the same stability they once did under the long-time dictator.
The fighting was not just destabilising for Syria, but Israel too. Thousands of Druze rushed to border fences in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights in a bid to help their comrades, many of them family. Dramatic footage emerged of people storming into Syria, trudging up dirt tracks as clouds of smoke and tear gas swirled around them.
Israel's motives
Amid the chaos, Israel’s leadership issued strong statements of support for the community and warnings for anyone who threatened them, alongside pleas for anyone who crossed the border to return for their safety.
“Netanyahu right now is trying to contain the dangers this has opened up. He's using the Druze as a pawn in a larger chessboard to keep Syria weak and divided,” said Joshua Landis, a Syria expert and head of the Centre for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma.
Mr Netanyahu also had to appease people in his own country, as Israeli Druze make up a sizeable portion of the army. The conflict comes with Mr Netanyahu in deep political peril as rebellious ultra-Orthodox parties bring his coalition to the brink of collapse.
“His loyalty is to the Druze in Israel. It is an important minority that serves in the military. So Israel is using the Druze of Syria as a pretext to weaken the government there,” Mr Landis said.
There are some 150,000 Druze living in Israel and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, recognised by most of the international community as Syrian territory.
Druze in Israel − not including occupied Palestinian territory and the occupied Golan Heights − serve in the military, including in senior positions. Ghasan Alyan, the current head of Cogat, a military unit that administers Israeli control in the occupied West Bank and Gaza, is a member of the community.
The Druze are largely praised by Jewish-Israeli society for being loyal, integrated citizens. The community was nonetheless deeply angered by the 2018 Nation-State Law which gave only Jews in Israel the constitutional right to self-determination.
Israeli think tank IDI said the law “excludes minorities, omits equality, ignores democracy and the Declaration of Independence, and undermines the fragile balance of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state”. Druze politicians in Israel’s parliament filed petitions against the law.
The Druze in the occupied Golan Heights, however, do not serve in the military. Many still describe themselves as Syrian.
Syrian approach
Rahaf Al Doughli, an assistant professor at Lancaster University, said Israel's behaviour is not unexpected, but is also linked to the Syrian government's approach to the sectarian problem, which she described as one-sided.
Sectarian strife has repeatedly undermined Mr Al Shara's attempts to consolidate control of Syria since the rebel offensive that installed him in power last year.
“I don't think it's very strange for Israel to manipulate and instrumentalise sectarian identities in the region. It's a tactic,” Prof Al Doughli said.
Knowing that sectarian tension had been long present in the region, Prof Al Doughli said the Syrian state came in “without neutrality” appearing as if to use one community against the other.
“Instead of asking why Israel is bombing the Syrian army the question should be why the Druze community in Syria would ever need protection by Israel,” she said.
Who are the Druze?
The Druze are an Arabic-speaking religious sect numbering about a million people, mostly in Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
The faith emerged from a branch of Islam in the 11th century and its teachings blend elements of Islam with ancient traditions. Reincarnation plays a central role in their beliefs.
You can only be born Druze as people are not allowed to convert to or from the religion. Leaders have kept the details of their faith closed and secretive. Despite the comparatively small size of their community, the Druze have figured prominently in Middle Eastern history. They have served as kingmakers, military leaders and political mediators.
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Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
How Filipinos in the UAE invest
A recent survey of 10,000 Filipino expatriates in the UAE found that 82 per cent have plans to invest, primarily in property. This is significantly higher than the 2014 poll showing only two out of 10 Filipinos planned to invest.
Fifty-five percent said they plan to invest in property, according to the poll conducted by the New Perspective Media Group, organiser of the Philippine Property and Investment Exhibition. Acquiring a franchised business or starting up a small business was preferred by 25 per cent and 15 per cent said they will invest in mutual funds. The rest said they are keen to invest in insurance (3 per cent) and gold (2 per cent).
Of the 5,500 respondents who preferred property as their primary investment, 54 per cent said they plan to make the purchase within the next year. Manila was the top location, preferred by 53 per cent.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
MATCH INFO
France 3
Umtiti (8'), Griezmann (29' pen), Dembele (63')
Italy 1
Bonucci (36')
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
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Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
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