Latest news with #KamalJumblatt
Shafaq News
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Syria's Druze flashpoint reawakens Lebanon's strategic dilemmas
Shafaq News The eruption of violence in Syria's Druze-majority province of Suwayda has sent political tremors across Lebanon, reigniting long-dormant fears about sectarian volatility, external manipulation, and the fragility of communal identity in a region shaped by unresolved conflicts. As the clashes involved Druze fighters, Bedouin tribal groups, Syrian government forces, and Israeli forces escalated into a deadly confrontation—leaving over 900 dead and drawing in Syrian security forces and Israeli airstrikes—Lebanon's Druze community has entered a moment of acute strategic reflection. Druze Identity Under Pressure The Druze, a small but historically significant religious minority in the Middle East, have long maintained a delicate equilibrium in Syria, Lebanon, and Israel. In Lebanon, the community—concentrated in the Chouf, Aley, and parts of Mount Lebanon—has played a pivotal role in the country's political life, most notably through the legacy of Kamal Jumblatt and his son, Walid Jumblatt. While the Lebanese Druze have traditionally exercised caution in regional entanglements, the crisis in Suwayda is testing that posture. Images of civilian casualties and calls for self-defense have stirred communal solidarity, but also sharpened internal divides, particularly over how to respond to the Israeli military strikes targeting Syrian positions under the pretext of protecting Druze civilians. Inside Syria, this issue has become a major fault line. Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, a leading Druze spiritual figure in Suwayda, has openly called for international protection and appeared to welcome Israeli military pressure on Syrian government forces. This stance, however, has not gone unchallenged. In Lebanon, the response has been far more unified—and uncompromising. All major Druze leaders, including Walid Jumblatt, Talal Arslan, and Sheikh al-Aql Sami Abi Al-Muna, have categorically rejected any Israeli involvement in Syria. Jumblatt, the most popular Druze leader in the country, while calling for dialogue between Suwayda's leadership and Damascus, warned that foreign protection schemes are historically proven traps, designed more to divide than to defend. Abi Al-Muna echoed this position, emphasizing that the protection of Druze lives cannot come at the cost of enabling regional actors to manipulate the crisis for their own ends. A Familiar Mirror: Lebanon's Own Fragility Analysts across Beirut view Suwayda not as an isolated eruption, but as a compressed replay of Lebanon's own unresolved dilemmas—sectarian fragmentation, parallel armed power centers, and the ever-present risk of foreign patronage displacing national sovereignty. The Lebanese state, already weakened by economic collapse and political paralysis, has no room for spillover violence. Yet its proximity to the crisis—and its deep communal ties to the region—makes disengagement nearly impossible. Security officials have also expressed concern over unverified reports suggesting cross-border Druze mobilization. Though no formal Lebanese involvement has been confirmed, the specter of transnational militia movements reawakens fears of regional proxy conflict, this time framed through sectarian solidarity. Internal Fractures, Regional Games The crisis has also revealed internal fault lines within Lebanon's Druze community. While Jumblatt and Arslan have maintained a message of restraint and national unity, Wiam Wahhab, leader of the Arab Tawhid Party, has taken a far more provocative stance. In a series of fiery statements, Wahhab called for the arming of Druze factions across the region and even announced the creation of a militia under the name 'Army of Tawhid.' He issued direct threats to Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and demanded the withdrawal of pro-government forces from Suwayda, all while appealing to Druze communities in Syria, Lebanon, and beyond to rise in armed resistance. Wahhab's rhetoric has drawn sharp criticism from across Lebanon's political spectrum. His open flirtation with the idea of Israeli air cover and his attempts to direct Suwayda's internal conflict from his base in Mount Lebanon were seen by many Druze leaders as reckless and dangerous. Sheikh Abi Al-Muna reiterated that such calls for armed escalation only endanger the broader community and risk aligning the Druze with agendas fundamentally at odds with their national interests. Talal Arslan welcomed the ceasefire in Suwayda, calling it a necessary first step to prevent further bloodshed and sectarian polarization. In a statement, he urged Syrians—Druze and non-Druze alike—to reject division and pursue dialogue over confrontation, reaffirming Syria's territorial unity and warning against the ruinous consequences of civil fragmentation. Proxy Contests and Strategic Depth At a regional level, Israel's reported aim to establish a buffer zone in southern Syria—from Suwayda to Quneitra and Daraa—is viewed in Lebanon as a strategic effort to undercut both the Syrian state and Iran's allies, particularly Hezbollah. By framing its intervention as a humanitarian mission to 'protect the Druze,' Israel is attempting to recalibrate its military presence along the Golan Heights, potentially weakening Hezbollah's logistical depth across the Lebanese-Syrian border. Hezbollah, denouncing the Israeli intervention in Syria, is widely believed to be reassessing its strategic posture in light of these developments. Any shift in control over Suwayda—and especially the emergence of Israeli-aligned Druze militias—could pose a long-term threat to Hezbollah's regional corridor. While the US-brokered ceasefire has momentarily stemmed the violence, the structural conditions that led to the Suwayda crisis remain dangerously intact—fragmented sovereignty, proliferation of militias, and unresolved grievances. For Lebanon, the threat is less about military spillover and more about political contagion: a reactivation of sectarian logic that could unravel what remains of its delicate communal balance.
National News
22-03-2025
- Politics
- National News
Taymour Jumblatt: Adhering to cea sefire resolution, implementing 1701 - the path to preventing Lebanon from being pushed into war furnace
NNA - Progressive Socialist Party head, MP Taymour Jumblatt, believed that "adherence to the ceasefire agreement and the implementation of Resolution 1701 are the only ways to avoid new military conflicts that could push Lebanon back into the throes of war." "This requires an Israeli withdrawal from the points where it remains stationed, so that the state can fully assert its authority," Jumblatt added, emphasizing that the state alone is capable of preventing any security breaches and disruption of the fragile stability in the south. He condemned Israel's continued violations against Lebanon, hoping that the government would "follow through on the steps initiated by the presidency, in terms of strengthening state institutions that guarantee the rights of all Lebanese." Jumblatt's words came during a joint meeting at Al-Mukhtara Palace of the Democratic Gathering and the Progressive Socialist Party's internal representatives, devoted to discussing the general situation, regional and party affairs, and upcoming elections. Attending the meeting were: MPs Marwan Hamadeh, Akram Shehayeb, Bilal Abdallah, Raji Al-Saad, Hadi Abu Al-Hassan, Wael Abu Faour, and PSP's Secretary General Dhafer Nasser, MP Jumblatt's advisor Hussam Harb, and various partisans. On another note, MP Jumblatt received today a delegation from the Independence Movement, headed by MP Michel Moawad, who came to mark the 48th anniversary of the martyrdom of leader Kamal Jumblatt. The visit was in the presence of Democratic Gathering MPs and officials, with talks touching on the general political situation. The delegation then moved to lay a floral wreath on the tomb of Martyr Kamal Jumblatt. In a word of tribute and respect, Moawad said: "We came today to Al-Mukhtara with our friend and former MP Jawad Boulos and a delegation of Independence Movement cadres on this anniversary, which concerns us all: the anniversary of the assassination of leader Kamal Jumblatt. It is, first and foremost, a natural visit, because what connects us to Al-Mukhtara is a relationship that transcends any political consideration, a relationship of martyrdom and a relationship of blood, for the assassination of Kamal Jumblatt laid the foundation for a period of occupation and Syrian guardianship, which expanded with the assassination of President Rene Moawad, leading to the assassination of March 14 figures and Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. At that time, we revolted to expel the Syrians from Lebanon." He added, "This year's anniversary has a special flavor, the flavor of the prevalence of justice with the fall of the Assad regime, the arrest of the person directly responsible for carrying out the assassination of Kamal Jumblatt, and many other incidents that Lebanon has witnessed..." "Today we remember, and at the same time, we stand up for justice," Moawad underlined. It is to note that Jumblatt also met on Saturday with MP Nadim Gemayel, who visited Al-Mukhtara accompanied by a delegation, where they also laid a floral wreath on the shrine of Martyr Kamal Jumblatt. ============
LBCI
17-03-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Progressive Socialist Party expresses gratitude on Kamal Jumblatt's 48th memorial, pledges to continue the struggle
The Progressive Socialist Party expressed its "deepest gratitude to all those who participated in the 48th anniversary of the martyrdom of leader Kamal Jumblatt, an exceptional occasion marking the fall of a regime of murderers and tyrants and the triumph of historical justice." In a statement, the party highly appreciated "the loyalty demonstrated by participants from across Lebanon and the commitment that reflects the refinement and respect for the legacy of the martyred leader." It also apologized "for the hardship faced by some attendees who had to walk to the event venue and to those unable to reach it due to heavy traffic," while expressing "great respect for the widespread national, official, political, and public solidarity with the commemoration." The statement added: "In light of this significant day and with the belief that the duty of history requires working toward a better future, the Progressive Socialist Party pledges to its supporters and all Lebanese to continue the struggle for a free citizen and a happy people."
Asharq Al-Awsat
17-03-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Jumblatt Ends Annual Commemoration of His Father's Assassination after ‘Historic Justice Takes Course'
Former head of Lebanon Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) and Druze leader Walid Jumblatt announced on Sunday he was ending the annual commemoration of the assassination of his father, Kamal, 'after historic justice has taken its course.' Jumblatt had been holding the commemoration annually since his father was assassinated by the now ousted Syrian regime on March 16, 1977. Earlier this month, the new authorities in Syria announced the arrest of former chief of intelligence Ibrahim Huweija, who is accused of 'hundreds of assassinations' under the Assad regime. He had overseen Kamal Jumblatt's assassination. Politicians, Druze figures and supporters across Lebanon had gathered at Mokhtara on Sunday for the 48th anniversary of the assassination. Addressing the crowd, Jumblatt declared: 'For 48 years, we had gathered on March 16 to read the Fatiha and place a red rose on Kamal Jumblatt's grave and the grave of his companions Hafez al-Ghosseini and Fawzi Chedid. This was an occasion to forge ahead in defiance and confrontation.' 16 March 2025, Lebanon, Mokhtara: Lebanese Druze attend a ceremony to mark the 48th anniversary of the assassination of leader Kamal Jumblatt, father of Druze chief Walid Jumblatt in the village of Mokhtara. (dpa) 'During the worst of times, it was an occasion to remember and persevere, derive strength to continue living,' he added. 'Now, freedom shines in Syria at long last. The regime of oppression and injustice has collapsed after some 54 years. The Syrian people are free and the new authorities led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa have arrested the man behind Kamal Jumblatt's assassination,' he added. 'On behalf of my family and the PSP, I declare an end to the tradition of holding the commemoration given that historic justice has taken its course albeit after some time,' he stressed. Jumblatt said: 'Mokhtara is looking forward to a new chapter in struggle and defiance in new areas, not limited to, more humanitarian socialism as advocated by Kamal Jumblatt.' He underlined the historic reconciliation in Lebanon on August 3, 2001, that was sponsored by late Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir. The agreement lays the foundation for intra-Lebanese relations that rise above political divisions. He also underscored the importance of 'clinging on to Lebanon's Arab identity as promoted by major thinkers, writers, politicians and nationalists. This identity has been tarnished by regimes of oppression.' Jumblatt also stressed the need to liberate southern Lebanon from Israeli occupation, the demarcation of the border to protect Lebanese sovereignty, implementation of international resolutions, and the reconstruction of areas destroyed by the Israeli war on Hezbollah last year. Former head of the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) Walid Jumblatt (C) lays a flower on his father Kamal Jumblatt's grave during a ceremony to commemorate the 48th anniversary of his assassination in Mokhtara, Chouf Mountains, southeast of Beirut, Lebanon, 16 March 2025. (EPA) Moreover, he called for 'rebuilding Lebanese-Syrian relations on new foundations away from past experiences.' Turning to the Druze community, he urged them to 'maintain their Arab identity and protect their history of joint struggle with Arab and Syrian nationalists against colonization. Maintain your position in confronting the occupation of Arab territories in the Syrian Golan Heights.' Commenting on the visit by Syrian Druze clerics to Israel last week, he said: 'Religious visits do not negate the occupation of Palestine and the Golan.' He called on the Druze to 'preserve their Islamic heritage,' warning them against being influenced by Zionism. He also warned them against being manipulated 'to divide Syria and the rest of the region under the pretext of the alliance of minorities that was opposed by Kamal Jumblatt – a stance for which he paid for with his life.' At the end of his speech, Jumblatt declared: 'We were patient, persevered and were victorious.'
LBCI
16-03-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun honors Kamal Jumblatt on 48th anniversary of assassination
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun paid tribute to Kamal Jumblatt on the 48th anniversary of his assassination, hailing him as a great Lebanese leader, a steadfast advocate for Palestine, and a visionary thinker who left a lasting impact on the region and the world. "We remember today the passing of Kamal Jumblatt—a leader, a believer in the Palestinian cause, a thinker whose influence radiated across the region and beyond, and a martyr who gave his life for freedom and liberation from what he once called 'the great prison,'" Aoun said. He also recalled, as Walid Jumblatt did earlier in the day, the innocent victims from Lebanon and beyond who lost their lives unjustly in the wake of that brutal crime. Reflecting on the lessons of the past, Aoun stressed that the unity of Lebanon as a state remains the ultimate and only proper protection for its people.
