SUWAYDA, SYRIA — In a decisive move reflecting the complex dynamics of Syria’s southern provinces, Druze community forces apprehended members of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a terror organization affiliated with Abu Muhammad al-Julani, in the rural area of Sakhaniya. The operation, conducted under heightened security vigilance, prevented the expansion of terror networks and illustrated the ongoing risks faced by minority communities in a region shaped by years of war and proxy conflict.
According to regional security and local opposition reports, the detained individuals were linked to HTS, a group designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, and Israel. Originating in northwest Syria, HTS has a history of violence against both regime and opposition targets, and has repeatedly sought to expand its activities into southern Syria, bordering both Jordan and Israel.
Context and Security Environment
Since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Suwayda—a predominantly Druze province—has maintained relative autonomy from the Assad regime and insurrectionist factions. However, as Iran-backed militias, remnants of the Islamic State, and Sunni Islamist terror groups intensified their campaigns, Suwayda’s strategic value rose. Both Israel and the United States have identified southern Syria as a critical theater in the struggle against terrorist entrenchment and Iranian influence, warning of infiltration attempts that threaten the wider region’s security.
Druze Self-Defense and Resistance
The rapid mobilization and action by Druze defense forces in Sakhaniya is consistent with the community’s longstanding commitment to self-preservation. Historically independent, the Druze have repeatedly acted to protect their villages from outside aggression, be it from jihadist groups or regime-backed militias. Local leadership, notably the ‘Sheikhs of Dignity’ militia formations, have continued to emphasize the necessity of community defense amidst sporadic violence, criminality, and the proliferation of arms throughout the province.
HTS: Jihadist Expansionist Ambitions
Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, led by Julani, evolved from former al-Qaeda elements intent on establishing a radical Islamist presence across Syria. Its campaigns of targeted assassinations, bombings, and intimidation of minorities make it a focal point of Israeli and Western security concerns, particularly as it aims to recruit fighters and establish transit routes in southern Syria. The group’s broader objective of destabilizing border areas and threatening Israel’s security perimeter has led to increased intelligence and interdiction efforts by local and regional actors.
Regional Dynamics and Israeli Security Interests
Israeli defense officials have documented an uptick in cross-border arms smuggling and attempted terrorist infiltrations from southern Syria. IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir recently reiterated Israel’s “zero-tolerance” stance on any terror entrenchment along the nation’s borders, drawing parallels with the challenges faced on Israel’s northern fronts with Hezbollah in Lebanon. The proximity of Sakhaniya to the Israeli frontier underscores the operation’s significance not only for Druze residents of Suwayda but for overall border security.
Iranian Influence and the Axis of Resistance
Complicating the security landscape is Iran’s strategic involvement in Syria through its backing of the Assad regime, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and various Shiite militias including Hezbollah. The confluence of Iranian activities and the maneuvers of Sunni jihadist factions such as HTS creates a volatile environment where minority communities like the Druze must remain on constant alert. Israeli intelligence assessments stress that the competition for operational space in southern Syria between these rival actors raises the risk of escalation and undermines efforts to stabilize the region.
International Response and Local Realities
The United States and allied states have called for strong support to minority populations in Syria’s conflict zones, the application of targeted sanctions against terrorist operatives, and expanded humanitarian assistance to regions like Suwayda suffering from instability and resource shortages. Despite the broader geopolitical maneuvering, local populations remain at the forefront of efforts to safeguard autonomy and maintain civil order. Relief agencies working in southern Syria report ongoing economic hardship, population displacement, and a pronounced need for security cooperation with community organizations.
Looking Forward
The actions of the Druze defense forces in Sakhaniya stand as evidence of the persistence and resourcefulness of indigenous actors facing direct threats from extremist violence. As the battle for stability in southern Syria continues, the successful apprehension of HTS terrorists serves as a reminder that local resilience, regional security cooperation, and international vigilance are key to containing the spread of terror networks in proximity to Israel’s borders. The fate of minority groups like the Druze will remain intertwined with the shifting conflict lines and the broader campaign—led by Israel and its allies—to defeat Iranian-backed and jihadist terror in the Levant.
This episode not only highlights the ongoing efforts of the Druze to defend their communities, but also illustrates the wider relevance for Israeli security policy and the international struggle against terrorism.
