Druze worry about being left behind in post-war Syria

When she started shooting outside her home in the Satanaya Ashrafiya suburb in Damascus, Lama grabbed her phone with her phone and closed herself in her bathroom.

For hours, it was burning in fear while the fighters were wearing a military uniform and its desert mother wandering around the streets of the neighborhood. A heavy grace gun is installed on a military vehicle below its balcony window.

“Jihad against Druze” and “we will kill you, Druze”, the men were screaming.

You did not know who men – extremists, government security forces, or anyone else – but the message was clear: Kadrouz, was not safe.

Historically, the Druze – a society with its unique practices and beliefs, which began its faith as a step of Shiite Islam – has held a dangerous position in the political system of Syria.

During the era of former President Bashar al -Assad, many Druze maintained a calm loyalty to the state, hoping that they will protect them from the sectarian bloodshed that consumed other parts of Syria during the 13 -year civil war.

Many Druze have moved to the streets during the uprising, especially in recent years. But seeking to photograph himself as defending the minorities of Syria against Islamic extremism, Assad avoided using this type of iron against the demonstrators who did it in other cities that revolted against his rule.

They were running their own militias that defended their areas against the attacks of the Sunni Muslim extremist groups that looked at the Druze heretics, while they left them alone by the forces supporting Assad.

But with Assad prolonging the rebels led by the annual Islamists who formed the interim government, this unannounced agreement has faded, and the Druze is now concerned about their isolation and targeting in Syria after the war.

The recent attacks on the Druze societies were fueled by the Islamic militias that the government has in Damascus to the lack of confidence towards the state.

In late April, I began with a leaked audio recording that he appeared a religious leader who insults the Prophet Muhammad. Although the leader denied that he was his voice, and the Ministry of Interior in Syria later confirmed that the registration was fake, the damage occurred.

A video of a student at Hums University, in central Syria, became viral, where Muslims called for revenge immediately against Druze, which sparked sectarian violence in societies throughout the country.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK -based monitoring group, said at least 137 people – 17 civilians, 89 Druze fighters and 32 members of the security forces – – In several days of fighting in Sahnaya AshrafatJaramana suburb, south of Damascus, and in an ambush on the Suwaida-Damaskus Highway.

The Syrian government said that the operation of the security forces in the Ashrafiya Satanaya was carried out to restore security and stability, and that it was in response to the attacks on its employees, as 16 of them were killed.

Lama Zahherin, a pharmacy student at the University of Damascus, was just weeks away from completing her degree when violence reached her village. What began as a bombardment after turning into a direct attack – shooting, mortar shells, and chaos that tears alive.

Her uncle reached a small bus, urged women and children to flee under the fire, while the men left behind more than light arms. “The attackers had a heavy machine gun and mortar shells,” Lama recalls. “Our men had nothing to match that.”

Violence did not stop in her village. At Lama University, the bedrooms were stormed and students were hit by chains.

In one case, the student was stabbed after asking him simply if he was renewed.

“they [the instigators] She told us that we left our universities by choosing. But how can I stay? I was five chapters and one graduation project away from my testimony. Why do I give up if it is not dangerous? “

Like many Druze, Lama’s fear not only of physical attacks – it is what you see as a country has failed to provide protection.

“The government says this was out of the outlaws. Well, but when will they be held accountable?” I asked.

Her confidence was shaken by the classmates who mocked her ordeal, including the person who responded with laughing expressive symbols of her position on fleeing from her village.

“You never know how people really see you,” she said quietly. “I don’t know who I trust anymore.”

While someone is not sure of the attackers pledged loyalty, there is one clear thing: many Druze are concerned that Syria is being drifted towards the regime that is controlled by an unbearable Sunni with a small space for religious minorities like itself.

“We do not feel safe with these people,” Hadi Abu Hason told the BBC.

One of the Druze men from Suwaida was to protect the Ashrafat Sahnaya on the day when she was hiding in her bathroom.

A caravan has an ambush by armed groups using mortars and drones. Hadi was shot in the back, his lungs and several ribs were broken.

It is far from the comprehensive Syria, which was in its mind under a new leadership.

Hadi said: “Their ideology is not based on the law or the state. When someone acts out of religious or sectarian hatred, they do not represent us.”

“What represents us is the law and the state. The law is what protects everyone … I want protection from the law.”

The Syrian government has repeatedly affirmed the sovereignty and unity of all Syrian lands and sects of Syrian society, including the Druze.

Although clashes and attacks have been calmed down since then, believing in the government’s ability to protect minorities may shrink.

During the fighting days, Israel carried out air strikes around the Ashrafa Satanaya, claiming that it was targeting “agents” attacking Druze to protect the group of minorities.

An area near the Syrian Presidential Palace also struck, saying it “will not allow the deployment of forces south of Damascus or any threat to the Druze community.” Israel itself has a large number of Druze citizens in the country and live in the heights of the Syrian -Israeli Golan.

Once again in Satanaya’s Ashrafa, Lama Al -Hasania said that the atmosphere had turned – it was “quieter, but he was warned.”

You see the neighbors again, but caution still exists.

“Confidence has been broken. There are now people in the city who do not belong, and those who came during the war. It is difficult to know who anymore.”

The government’s confidence is still thin.

“They say they are working to protect all Syrians. But where are the real steps? Where is justice?” Lama asked.

“I don’t want to give a minority. We are Syrians. All we ask is the same rights – and for those who attacked us accountable.”