Druze forces in southern Syria are consolidating effective control over the region, with local militias conducting armed patrols and establishing security infrastructure across the south of the country.
Syria
Druze militias take control in south Syria
Armed Druze forces in the Suwayda region conduct patrols, adopt uniforms and standardised weapons, and establish security infrastructure; foreign reports say Israel is helping build a buffer force
New images and footage released by the armed Druze forces of the Suwayda region reveal a fighting force taking shape that increasingly resembles an established army rather than tribal militias.
A year ago, the Druze militias were closer to a collection of unorganised tribal defence groups lacking a structured operational mechanism. The Druze forces now appear more and more like an emerging security and governing power.
The Druze militias have begun adopting standardised uniforms, standard and uniform weaponry, and a joint operational mechanism. In addition, the forces are operating in a unified manner, conducting organized defence activities, security patrols and sovereignty displays in the south of the country.
According to some foreign publications, Israel has a direct connection to the accelerated development of the Druze forces. They claim that Israel seeks to establish the Druze as a separate and independent force that serves as a buffer between it and the Syrian regime, and to establish extensive cooperation with the Druze in the south of the country.
