'We are facing mass extermination' – Druze resident from one of Syrian villages attacked by regime forces tells KAN news

The regime in Damascus, led by Ahmad al-Sharaa, is trying to portray that it is containing the unrest in Druze strongholds following the attacks against them – but Druze residents of the area present a different picture.

Today (Friday), a resident of the town of Jaramana told Kan News about attacks and executions being carried out by government forces, criticized Israel – which he claims is not doing enough to uphold its promise to protect the Druze – and stated, “We are facing a mass extermination of the Druze community in the area.”

Yesterday, following the severe events against the Druze, the Syrian regime began moving forces toward the As-Suwayda province, also known as Jabal al-Druze (Mountain of the Druze), in an attempt to convince the spiritual leadership of the Druze community to allow the regime to protect them. However, recent experiences in Druze towns around Damascus do not bode well.

Abu Sultan, a resident of Jaramana in the suburbs of Damascus, recounted in a special interview what happened after a ceasefire was reached in Sahnaya and al-Sharaa’s security forces entered. According to him, after Syrian security forces entered Sahnaya under the ceasefire agreement, they arrested many young men, insulted the sheikhs, harassed women, and searched homes. More severely, he reported that security personnel carried out assassinations inside homes, executing more than 10 people. Due to the dire situation, people are fleeing to the Mount Hermon area on the Israeli border.

In light of these events, both Abu Sultan and others across the border believe that Israel – despite its promise to protect the Druze in Syria – is currently doing too little and failing to uphold that commitment. “The warning strikes against armed groups that harmed the Druze are not enough,” said Abu Sultan.

The Druze accuse Israel and other countries of abandoning them and claim that there is an agreement or deal between Israel and Turkey regarding the expulsion of Druze residents from Sahnaya and Jaramana. Abu Sultan added: “We are demanding urgent international protection for all Druze areas from all countries in the world. We are facing a mass extermination of the Druze community throughout the Damascus area and even in As-Suwayda, in the Mountain of the Druze.”

One of the residents of Sahnaya, a town near Damascus where most of the fighting took place, told Kan News yesterday, “Israel promised to supply ammunition to the (Druze) fighters and to target convoys heading to Druze areas. It did not fulfill its promises.” “We do not know what excuse Israel has for this kind of abandonment,” he said, and wondered if, behind the scenes, “al-Sharaa has made new agreements with Israel.”

Last night, Israel attacked near the presidential palace in Damascus. In a joint statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz following the strike, it was stated that Israel “will not allow forces to move south of Damascus or any threat to the Druze community.”