Israeli Druze spiritual leader: Change will soon happen in Syria
"No one will be allowed to violate the dignity of our people," Muwafaq Tarif stated, emphasizing the need to avoid further bloodshed and chaos.
By Ahora Qadi
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Muwafaq Tarif, the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Israel, called on Syrian Druze to preserve calm and avoid escalation, amid rising sectarian tensions and escalating military warnings issued by Israel.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Tarif said the situation in Syria was “under control” and urged the Druze in Syria to exercise restraint and maintain internal harmony. "No one will be allowed to violate the dignity of our people," he stated, emphasizing the need to avoid further bloodshed and chaos.
Army on High Alert
Simultaneously, the Israeli military announced in a statement that Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir had instructed troops to prepare for potential strikes against targets affiliated with the Syrian government. The army stated that if the violence against Druze communities persists, Israel is ready to launch direct military responses.
The recent flare-up reflects growing volatility in areas south of Damascus, particularly following the fall of the Assad regime and the emergence of a new power structure in Syria. Israeli intelligence assessments suggest that the current leadership in Damascus has failed to restrain militant elements targeting Druze communities.
Israel, which annexed the Golan Heights in 1981 and maintains deep familial and historical ties with the Druze population across Syria and Israel, has repeatedly vowed to intervene if the Druze face existential threats.
Netanyahu Signals Strategic Shift on Syria
Tarif’s message came shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a firm warning to the Syrian authorities, stating that "a major change is imminent in Syria," and that Israel would not tolerate threats against the Druze population.
Netanyahu’s office confirmed on Wednesday that the Israeli military carried out an airstrike targeting an “extremist group” in the Damascus countryside town of Sahnaya. According to the statement, the group was preparing an assault on local Druze residents. As tensions rise, Muwaffaq Tarif reiterated his appeal for unity and prudence, calling the current moment “critical” and emphasizing that “Israel, the army, and the international community are behind the Druze.” He warned against provocations that could plunge the region into a broader conflict and praised Israel’s continued commitment to protecting Druze communities both within and beyond its borders.
