Israel Strikes Syria as Druze Community Faces Attacks and Unites Across Borders

Israel has intensified its airstrikes in Syria this week, responding to alarming reports of violence against the Druze, a unique religious minority with deep roots in the region spanning over a millennium. This tight-knit community, despite being divided by hostile borders across Israel, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan, remains united in spirit and identity.

The Druze, an Arabic-speaking group with an esoteric, monotheistic faith that blends elements of Abrahamic religions and other philosophies, are fiercely loyal to the countries they inhabit. In Israel, where around 150,000 Druze reside in the north and Golan Heights, their commitment is evident: 83% of Druze men serve in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), making up 5% of the military’s ranks. They’re also a significant presence in Israel’s prison guards (20%) and police force (6.5%), earning them a respected place in society.

This loyalty drives action when their kin are in danger. On Tuesday, as reports emerged of clashes between Islamist militants and regime loyalists with Druze militias in southern Syria, over a thousand young Israeli Druze crossed the border to aid their brethren. Videos captured hundreds, some armed, breaking through fences to reach nearby Syrian villages. An IDF official noted the deep family ties across the border, underscoring Israel’s efforts to safely retrieve those who went to help. 'The IDF is committed to the deep alliance with the Druze community,' affirmed Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir.

This isn’t the first display of solidarity. Back in 2015, when Syrian Druze faced threats from ISIS and al-Qaeda affiliates like Jabhat al-Nusra, Israeli Druze raised funds and arms to support them. More recently, after the fall of Bashar al-Assad, Syrian Druze clerics visited Israel in April to celebrate the Ziyara holiday at the Nabi Shuaib holy site near the Sea of Galilee—a rare and poignant reunion.

The current escalation has put pressure on the Israeli government to act, not just for humanitarian reasons but also to address domestic concerns. As violence persists in Syria, the Druze’s plight highlights the complex interplay of identity, loyalty, and geopolitics in a fractured region.