The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/syrian-druze/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Fri, 12 Jun 2026 09:54:35 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png Syrian Druze | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/syrian-druze/ 32 32 Scathing UN report demands Syria probe abuses during clashes with Druze; 1,700 were killed https://www.timesofisrael.com/scathing-un-report-demands-syria-investigate-abuses-during-deadly-clashes-with-druze/ Fri, 27 Mar 2026 14:02:48 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3788859 Investigators find 'no indication' that Damascus looked into human rights violations committed by forces, detail 'widespread looting, systematic burning' against Druze civilians

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]]> Syrian government forces and Druze factions exchange prisoners in Sweida https://www.timesofisrael.com/syrian-government-forces-and-druze-factions-exchange-prisoners-in-sweida/ Thu, 26 Feb 2026 11:52:11 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3762738 Under Red Cross supervision, Damascus releases 61 prisoners while Druze National Guard Forces free 25 Syrian government personnel

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]]> US mediating prisoner exchange talks between Damascus and Druze — source https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-mediating-prisoner-exchange-talks-between-damascus-and-druze-source/ Tue, 24 Feb 2026 18:36:39 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3761480 Talks aim to free over 60 civilians from Druze-majority Sweida, where sectarian clashes broke out last year, prompting Israeli intervention, in exchange for 30 government personnel

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]]> Israeli Druze leader says Syrian community remains ‘besieged’ months after clashes https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-druze-leader-says-syrian-community-remains-besieged-months-after-clashes/ Fri, 20 Feb 2026 07:49:21 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3758423 Sheikh Muafak Tarif says over 120,000 still displaced, 300 held captive following clashes that erupted with government and Bedouin tribal forces in Sweida last year

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]]> Syrian security officer arrested over killing of civilians in Druze-majority Sweida https://www.timesofisrael.com/syrian-security-officer-arrested-over-killing-of-civilians-in-druze-majority-sweida/ Sun, 08 Feb 2026 08:10:38 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3750220 Suspect arrested with help of survivor of attack, in which four people were shot dead and a fifth was seriously wounded while harvesting olives

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]]> Syrian army, Kurds exchange fire in area near Aleppo declared closed military zone https://www.timesofisrael.com/syrian-army-kurds-exchange-fire-in-area-near-aleppo-declared-closed-military-zone/ Tue, 13 Jan 2026 18:09:21 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3733074 Renewed conflict with minorities comes as Syrian Druze leader accuses al-Sharaa government of attempted 'genocide,' says his community is 'inseparable part of Israel's system'

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]]> Report: Israel began airdropping weapons to Syrian Druze days after Assad’s ouster https://www.timesofisrael.com/report-israel-began-airdropping-weapons-to-syrian-druze-days-after-assads-ouster/ Tue, 23 Dec 2025 22:35:19 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3718541 Defensive equipment shipments continue, but arms deliveries tapered off as Israel sought talks with Sharaa and grew wary of Syrian Druze infighting, sources tell Washington Post

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]]> Israeli Druze leader seeks US security guarantees for Syrian counterparts https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-druze-leader-seeks-us-security-guarantees-for-syrian-counterparts/ Wed, 10 Dec 2025 15:03:48 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3709018 After the bloodshed in Sweida this year, Sheikh Muafak Tarif says Washington must fulfill 'duty' to protect minority group, stresses need for Druze self-determination

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]]> Sharaa vows ‘peaceful coexistence’ as Syria marks anniversary of Assad’s fall https://www.timesofisrael.com/sharaa-vows-peaceful-coexistence-as-syria-marks-year-since-assads-fall/ Mon, 08 Dec 2025 22:52:04 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3707632 Past year 'seems like a miracle,' says reveler, as Syrians gather en masse to watch their rebel-turned-president; Alawite, Kurdish areas boycott celebration amid sectarian strife

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]]> Four IDF soldiers charged with trafficking weapons from Syria into Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/four-idf-soldiers-charged-with-trafficking-weapons-from-syria-into-israel/ Sat, 22 Nov 2025 15:31:38 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3694970 Troops among several arrested in major arms smuggling bust linked to crime in northern Israel; prosecutors say gun-running took place during summer's Syrian Druze clashes

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]]> Seven Druze men, including three Syrians, charged with smuggling arms into Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/seven-druze-men-including-three-syrians-charged-with-smuggling-arms-into-israel/ Thu, 20 Nov 2025 19:31:57 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3693507 Defendants detained alongside 5 soldiers on suspicion of smuggling army-grade weapons to criminals in Israel, during outpouring of Druze into southern Syria amid clashes in region

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]]> Syria arrests military members for deadly attacks on Druze in Sweida in July https://www.timesofisrael.com/syria-arrests-military-members-for-deadly-attacks-on-druze-in-sweida-in-july/ Sun, 16 Nov 2025 19:58:40 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3690125 Committee investigating violence says it will only release death toll in final report later this year, doesn't say how many security forces were detained amid investigation

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]]> Druze and Syrian government forces accuse each other of violating Sweida ceasefire https://www.timesofisrael.com/druze-and-syrian-government-forces-accuse-each-other-of-violating-sweida-ceasefire/ Fri, 14 Nov 2025 12:34:26 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3688732 Renewed violence subsides, with reports of wounded on both sides but no casualties; Air Force said to have flown overhead as clashes erupted Thursday

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]]> What to expect as Syria goes to the polls for the first time since Assad’s ouster https://www.timesofisrael.com/what-to-expect-as-syria-goes-to-the-polls-for-the-first-time-since-assads-ouster/ Sun, 05 Oct 2025 08:46:10 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3656635 Sunday's election, which does not include popular vote, criticized as undemocratic; vote not taking place in Druze-majority Sweida or Kurdish areas

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]]> After brutal sectarian clashes, Syrian Druze pushing for autonomy, lean toward Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/after-brutal-sectarian-clashes-syrian-druze-pushing-for-autonomy-lean-toward-israel/ Wed, 01 Oct 2025 07:53:10 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3654084 Southern Syria sect sets up de facto military, government body as community feels betrayed by new government in Damascus, grateful for support from Jerusalem

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