logo
There is widespead concern that Syria might break up

There is widespead concern that Syria might break up

Gulf Today4 days ago
The ceasefire brokered by the US, Turkey, and Jordan appears to have ended a week of violence in Syria's southern province of Sweida where Druze militiamen battled Sunni Bedouin tribesmen bolstered by Sunni factional militiamen from elsewhere. Clashes erupted on the 13th following the Bedouin kidnapping of a Druze merchant travelling to Damascus. The number of people killed in Sweida is 940, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, and scores were injured. When the Syrian army began to intervene mid-week, Israel bombed the defence ministry in Damascus, fired missiles near the presidential palace and struck Syrian troops entering Sweida. Israel's involvement was not welcomed by Arab, Turkish and US mediators. Even Donald Trump expressed rare criticism of Israel.
Syrian Druze constitute the largest Druze community in the world and the third largest minority in that country. The monotheistic faith evolved from Shiism in the 11th century and has long been a separate religion. As Druze have been persecuted for centuries, they have, as a matter of survival, adopted the practice of taqiya, dissimulation, by appearing to merge with the local population while remaining Druze.
Druze number about 700,000 and constitute about 3 per cent of Syria's population.
While they are concentrated in the Druze majority province of Sweida, Druze have also settled around Damascus and elsewhere in the country. About 300,000 Druze live in Lebanon and a small number in Jordan.
The Druze have played important roles in the independence struggles of both Syria and Lebanon and have assumed active political careers in these states since then. Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt has followed the example of his father and acted as a kingmaker in Lebanon. Respected as a voice for Druze in the region, he condemned Israel's intervention in Sweida and convened a meeting of Lebanese Druze leaders with the aim of countering possible spillover of Syrian Druze-Sunni violence. Another prominent Arab Druze, Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, joined his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan to demand an urgent end to Israel's involvement.
While Syrian Druze and Bedouin have sparred for decades, the latest bout of violence did not begin as a sectarian confrontation but over farmland, a traditional issue. After Bashar al-Assad assumed power in 2000, the government initiated economic and agricultural reforms. Farm subsidies were gradually withdrawn and restrictions on water usage and land access were imposed. While Druze villagers protested Bedouin farmers did not, generating hostility against their community. However, Druze and Bedouin farmers came together to protest over neglect by the government due to the lack of services and security.
Following Assad 's ouster in December last year, Druze have been divided over their approach to the Sunni fundamentalist Hay 'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) government. Some Druze factions have tried to negotiate a new relationship with Damascus, others resist merging their militias with the country's armed forces, and many reject the presence of Syrian security personnel and soldiers in Sweida.
Meanwhile, Druze and Bedouin antagonism to the government increased. Bedouin were angered by the appointment of Druze Amjad Bahr as agriculture minister, while Druze did not see this as providing them with sufficient influence in Damascus. In the absence of firm state control since the takeover by HTS under interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, there have been frequent clashes between Bedouin and Druze, who insist that Sweida must enjoy autonomy, and security must be provided by Druze militia factions — both demands rejected by Bedouin.
Syria's southernmost, Sweida is a strategic province with a population of 540,400, 91 per cent Druze, according to the UN. The Druze demand for autonomy amounts to a major challenge to the government at a time the northeast, 25 per cent of Syrian territory, is ruled by Syrian Kurds who also seek self-rule within Syria. There is concern that Syria — which with Iraq makes up the Eastern Arab heartland — could fracture. This has been the goal of Israel since its creation by war 77 years ago. In a bid to weaken Damascus grip on Syrian territory, Israel Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has warned against deploying the Syrian army in the southern border regions. Last December, Israeli troops invaded and occupied the UN-patrolled buffer zone in the Golan Heights established by a 1974 agreement with Syria.
Israel occupied the Syrian Golan Heights in 1967 and annexed the territory, which has a Druze population of 20,000, most of whom retain Syrian citizenship. About 130,000 Druze live in Israel, have Israeli citizenship and many have served in the Israeli army and the Knesset. Israeli Druze protested in 2018 after adopting a law defining Israel as the "nation state" of the Jewish people. Druze, who count for 1.6 per cent and Palestinian Arabs 21 per cent, cried foul as this law transformed them into "second-class citizens." The normally loyal Druze protested in the streets. Although Druze are prominent in literature, politics, business, and the military in Israel their voices fell on deaf ears.
Druze have emigrated to the US, UK, Europe, and Latin America although many retain communal connections and an active interest in the affairs of this conflicted region. One of the founders in 1968 of American Near East Refugee Aid, ANERA, was Jim Sams (Abu Samra) whose family comes from the 12th century Lebanese Chouf Mountain Druze village of Baakleen. The most high-profile Druze on the global scene today is British-born international lawyer Amal Alamuddin who is married to US actor George Clooney. The couple have founded the Clooney Foundation for Justice which operated in 40 countries in defence of free speech and women's rights.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Trump says he wants Musk and his companies to thrive in US
Trump says he wants Musk and his companies to thrive in US

Zawya

time12 minutes ago

  • Zawya

Trump says he wants Musk and his companies to thrive in US

President Donald Trump said on Thursday he would not destroy Elon Musk's companies by taking away federal subsidies and that he wants the billionaire tech-entrepreneur's businesses to thrive. "Everyone is stating that I will destroy Elon's companies by taking away some, if not all, of the large scale subsidies he receives from the U.S. Government. This is not so!," Trump said in a social media post. "I want Elon, and all businesses within our Country, to THRIVE." Trump's statement follows a public clash with his former close ally on June 5 over his tax bill. Musk warned Tesla investors on Wednesday that U.S. government cuts in support for electric vehicle makers could lead to a "few rough quarters" for the company. A week after the spat in June, Reuters reported the White House had directed the Defense Department and NASA to gather details on billions of dollars in SpaceX contracts to ready possible retaliation against the businessman and his companies. Musk spent more than a quarter of a billion dollars to help Trump win November's presidential election and led the Department of Government Efficiency's chaotic effort to slash the budget and cut the federal workforce. The Tesla CEO left the administration in late May to refocus on his tech empire. Trump and Musk fell out shortly afterward when Musk openly denounced the Republican president's tax-cut and spending bill, leading to threats by Trump to cancel billions of dollars worth of federal government contracts with Musk's companies. Musk's SpaceX had been considered a frontrunner to build out Trump's $175 billion Golden Dome missile defense shield and remains a natural choice for key elements of the project. But sources familiar with the matter told Reuters earlier this week that the administration is expanding its search for partners to build Golden Dome as tensions with Musk threaten SpaceX's dominance in the program. (Reporting by Bhargav Acharya in Toronto; Editing by Doina Chiacu and Philippa Fletcher)

Syria asks Turkey for defence support following Sweida violence
Syria asks Turkey for defence support following Sweida violence

Middle East Eye

timean hour ago

  • Middle East Eye

Syria asks Turkey for defence support following Sweida violence

Syria's interim government has asked Turkey for support to strengthen its defence capacities, Turkish officials announced on Wednesday. Speaking on condition of anonymity, Turkish defence officials also confirmed that Syria is seeking Turkey's assistance to combat "terrorist organisations", including the Islamic State group. "As long as our brotherly country, Syria, requests it, Turkey will continue to stand firmly by its side," Omer Celik, spokesperson for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling party, told reporters. 'The heroic Turkish armed forces will fulfil this, both to assist our Syrian brothers and to prevent instability there, which is vital for Turkey's national security,' he added. Turkey is already training and advising Syrian armed forces, and told Reuters in June that it has no plans to withdraw Turkish troops currently stationed in Syria. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Having long supported Syrian opposition to Bashar al-Assad, Turkey has become a key supporter of the interim Syrian government led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, which has emerged following Assad's fall in December. The request follows violent clashes between Druze and Bedouin militias in Syria's southern Sweida region last week that resulted in over 1,000 deaths, and precipitated further Israeli intervention within Syrian territory. The 'bigger strategic problem' Turkey has been a strong critic of the recent Israeli interventions in Syria, including those near a strategic air base in the city of Hama, where Israel has accused Turkey of exploring military interests. 'The bigger strategic problem in the region is Israel's attempt to invade the region,' Erdogan said on 20 July. 'Israel strives to set the entire region on fire, but Syria's stance cautiously reined in this process,' he added. However, Turkey has so far been hesitant to offer full-scale defence support to the Syrian government, holding talks in April with the Israeli government over the establishment of a deconfliction line aimed at avoiding direct confrontation between the Turkish and Israeli militaries. An American-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Syria was announced by US ambassador to Turkey and special envoy to Syria Tom Barrack on 19 July. Barrack told Associated Press earlier this week that the US has 'no position' on a potential defence pact between Syria and Turkey. Syrian officials could not be immediately reached for comment.

GENIUS Act Paves the Way for Regulated Stablecoins
GENIUS Act Paves the Way for Regulated Stablecoins

Arabian Post

time2 hours ago

  • Arabian Post

GENIUS Act Paves the Way for Regulated Stablecoins

Arabian Post Staff -Dubai A landmark federal framework for stablecoins became law on 18 July 2025, when President Donald Trump signed the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U. S. Stablecoins Act. The legislation mandates that stablecoins — digital currencies pegged one‑to‑one to the U. S. dollar or short‑term Treasury bills — must be fully backed by liquid reserves, publicly disclose holdings monthly, and comply with anti‑money laundering and consumer protection rules. The Act clears a path for both banks and approved non‑bank entities to issue payment stablecoins under a dual licensing system, encompassing federal and state oversight. It also creates a formal category for such assets, offering legal clarity that had eluded stablecoin issuers until now. ADVERTISEMENT Despite bipartisan support in Congress — with Senate approval on 17 June and House passage on 17 July — the new law has drawn criticism. Some lawmakers and experts argue it falls short on stricter anti‑money laundering measures and allows big tech firms to issue stablecoins with fewer regulatory hurdles than traditional banks. Trump lauded the Act during the White House signing ceremony, calling it 'a hell of an act' and asserting it will solidify American crypto leadership and support the dollar's global primacy. He noted the GENIUS Act 'creates a clear and simple regulatory framework' capable of unleashing innovation and enhancing payment systems. Stakeholders across finance and fintech are re-evaluating their strategies. Traditional banks are preparing pilot programmes and exploring partnerships to issue or facilitate stablecoins, while crypto firms like Circle and Coinbase, which have backed U. S. stablecoin issuance earlier, have seen share prices rise following the law's enactment. In parallel, the law aims to channel demand into U. S. Treasuries, reinforcing the dollar's global role. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent highlighted that requiring asset backing in government debt would deepen Treasury markets. Financial institutions are bracing for increased reserve purchases and adjustments in asset allocation strategies. The Act introduces rigorous governance: stablecoin issuers must implement reserve audits, adhere to marketing restrictions—such as avoiding government endorsement claims—and prioritise redeeming customer claims ahead of other creditors in insolvency scenarios. It also extends anti‑money laundering obligations under the Bank Secrecy Act, granting treasury authorities power to freeze illicit funds. Though heralded as a milestone, implementation remains complex. Regulators are expected to issue detailed rules within a year, and the Act's 'effective date' is projected for late 2026, contingent on final regulatory actions or an 18‑month grace period. Global central banks and fintech players are watching closely. Some expect U. S. leadership in regulated digital currencies could spur innovation overseas, while others warn that insufficient guardrails may encourage regulatory arbitrage. Foreign issuers may enter the U. S. market if they meet rigorous Treasury approval, including comparable home‑jurisdiction oversight and U. S.-based reserve management. Market response has been immediate: global crypto valuations have surged past $4 trillion, led by strong gains in bitcoin and ether amidst expectations of broader stablecoin integration. Industry experts suggest stablecoins may soon become mainstream payment tools, with major retailers and tech giants like Google, Uber and Apple exploring adoption. However, voices of caution persist. Critics say the framework could permit big tech to bypass stricter banking regulations, heightening systemic risks, and that consumer safeguards remain inadequate. Transparency International warned the law might provide loopholes exploitable by criminals or hostile regimes. As rule‑making proceeds and industry adapts, the GENIUS Act marks a fundamental shift in U. S. crypto policy — ushering stablecoins from regulatory limbo into a legalised, structured, but contested future.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store