Druze Community Under Fire: Israel's Response to Syrian Violence

The Druze community in Syria is facing severe threats. Israel has stepped in to protect them. The conflict is complex and has roots in religious tensions. The violence began after a controversial audio clip. This clip was shared on social media and insulted the Prophet Muhammad. Sunni Muslims were outraged. The clip was blamed on a Druze cleric. However, he denied any involvement. The Syrian government also cleared him of any wrongdoing. The violence has been intense. There have been deadly clashes between Druze gunmen and Syrian security forces. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that 16 security personnel and six Druze gunmen were killed. This violence is not new. Earlier in the week, at least 17 people were killed in similar clashes. The Druze community is a religious minority. They are an offshoot of Shia Islam. They have their own unique beliefs. About half of the roughly one million Druze followers live in Syria. They make up about 3% of the country's population. There are smaller Druze communities in Lebanon, Israel, and the occupied Golan Heights. Israel has taken action. The Israeli military chief, Lt Gen Eyal Zamir, ordered strikes on "operatives" attacking Druze civilians. This happened after deadly sectarian violence near Damascus. A BBC team witnessed air strikes around the mainly Druze town of Ashrafiyat Sahnaya and the neighboring town of Sahnaya. They also heard heavy gunfire. The Syrian security forces claimed they were targeting "outlaw groups" that had launched attacks. Israel has warned that it will strike Syrian government targets if attacks on the Druze continue. This is a serious escalation. It shows how tense the situation is. The conflict is causing fear and uncertainty. A resident of Ashrafiyat Sahnaya spoke to the BBC. She said "extremist" groups were attacking from all directions. The townspeople were trying to defend themselves. However, they did not know how long they could hold out. The woman accused the government of complicity. She said security forces were blocking the entrances of the town. She also said her town had always been a symbol of peaceful coexistence. But now, it seems that sectarian incitement and foreign schemes aimed at dividing Syria are stronger. The situation is dire. The Druze community needs support and protection.