Netanyahu’s remarks on Druze religious minority spark protests in Syria

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent comments on southern Syria have triggered widespread condemnation and protests.

Suleiman Abdul Baki, leader of the “Free Jabal al-Arab” movement in As-Suwayda, stated that he rejects any foreign interference in Syrian affairs, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

He stressed that the demands of the Druze community in Syria align with those of all Syrians: peace and state-building.

Meanwhile, calls for demonstrations circulated on social media, urging protests on February 24 in the provinces of Daraa, Quneitra, and As-Suwayda in response to Netanyahu’s remarks. Reports indicate that public demonstrations erupted at the Khan Arnabeh roundabout in Quneitra, in Daraa, and at Al-Karama Square in As-Suwayda.

The protests follow Netanyahu’s call for the full evacuation of military forces from southern Syria. “We will not allow the forces of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham or the New Syrian Army to enter areas south of Damascus,” the Israeli prime minister declared. He also reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to protecting the Druze population in southern Syria, vowing that no threats against them would be tolerated.

This comes amid reports that the Israeli military has been offering incentives to residents of southern Syrian areas where its forces have advanced since December.

Following the collapse of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime on 8 December, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that they had taken positions in the buffer zone on the occupied Golan Heights. The area, established in 1974, separates Israeli and Syrian-controlled territories. Israeli troops quickly moved into multiple locations surrounding the buffer zone, securing more than ten positions.

The IDF has also taken control of the eastern slopes of Mount Hermon. Netanyahu described the move as temporary and defensive, aimed at countering potential threats from Syria. However, he also indicated that Israeli forces would remain in place until security guarantees along the border were secured.

By Aghakazim Guliyev