In the Damascus suburb of Ashrafiyat Sahnaya, fear and uncertainty reign. When gunfire erupted outside her home, Lama al-Hassanieh hurriedly sheltered in her bathroom, listening to the threats of armed men who claimed their intention was a "jihad against Druze." This recent sectarian violence has left the Druze community, a group with distinct beliefs stemming from Shia Islam, feeling vulnerable in a post-war Syria where they once believed their loyalty to the Assad regime would ensure their safety.
Historically, the Druze have maintained a complex relationship with the Syrian government, often siding with Assad as a means of self-protection amidst the broader ethnic and sectarian conflict. However, this alliance appears frayed, particularly following the recent surge of violence, which was ignited by a misattributed audio recording that incited calls for revenge against Druze individuals. In just a few days, reports indicated that 137 people were killed amidst the chaos.
For many young Druze, like pharmacy student Lama Zahereddine, the instability reached a personal crisis when violence displaced them just weeks shy of graduation. The psychological toll of such trauma is significant, and the sentiment among Druze youth is one of betrayal and distrust—not just towards the aggressors, but towards peers and the state they once relied upon.
Many in the Druze community actively banded together to protect their neighborhoods, even as their efforts were met with intense opposition. The unyielding reality, characterized by armed attacks and isolation, has made reconciliation and rebuilding trust nearly impossible. For individuals like Hadi Abou Hassoun, who suffered injuries while defending his community, the prevailing ideology appears anchored in religious intolerance rather than the rule of law.
As the Syrian government claims to uphold the sovereignty and represent all denominations, the reality for the Druze community is marked by vigilance and skepticism. Despite periods of calm, an underlying anxiety persists as individuals question their safety and future in what has become a fractured society. The Druze calling for accountability and equal rights encapsulates a broader desire for recognition and protection in a nation grappling with the aftermath of war.
The once tightly-knit community now contends with mistrust toward new neighbors, complicating their quest for solidarity and safety. Reinforced by recent airstrikes from Israel, which aimed to safeguard the Druze, the situation remains precarious, highlighting the urgent need for genuine security and recognition from both the state and society at large. In the face of these challenges, the Druze stand steadfastly united, advocating for accountability and a chance to reclaim their identity as equal citizens within Syria.
Historically, the Druze have maintained a complex relationship with the Syrian government, often siding with Assad as a means of self-protection amidst the broader ethnic and sectarian conflict. However, this alliance appears frayed, particularly following the recent surge of violence, which was ignited by a misattributed audio recording that incited calls for revenge against Druze individuals. In just a few days, reports indicated that 137 people were killed amidst the chaos.
For many young Druze, like pharmacy student Lama Zahereddine, the instability reached a personal crisis when violence displaced them just weeks shy of graduation. The psychological toll of such trauma is significant, and the sentiment among Druze youth is one of betrayal and distrust—not just towards the aggressors, but towards peers and the state they once relied upon.
Many in the Druze community actively banded together to protect their neighborhoods, even as their efforts were met with intense opposition. The unyielding reality, characterized by armed attacks and isolation, has made reconciliation and rebuilding trust nearly impossible. For individuals like Hadi Abou Hassoun, who suffered injuries while defending his community, the prevailing ideology appears anchored in religious intolerance rather than the rule of law.
As the Syrian government claims to uphold the sovereignty and represent all denominations, the reality for the Druze community is marked by vigilance and skepticism. Despite periods of calm, an underlying anxiety persists as individuals question their safety and future in what has become a fractured society. The Druze calling for accountability and equal rights encapsulates a broader desire for recognition and protection in a nation grappling with the aftermath of war.
The once tightly-knit community now contends with mistrust toward new neighbors, complicating their quest for solidarity and safety. Reinforced by recent airstrikes from Israel, which aimed to safeguard the Druze, the situation remains precarious, highlighting the urgent need for genuine security and recognition from both the state and society at large. In the face of these challenges, the Druze stand steadfastly united, advocating for accountability and a chance to reclaim their identity as equal citizens within Syria.
