The Druze religious sect, enmeshed in an outbreak of tit-for-tat violence in Syria, began roughly 1,000 years ago as an offshoot of Ismailism, a branch of Shiite Islam. Most of the other Druze live in Lebanon and Israel,

While the Syrian Druze community might not stand with Israel, experts say that Jerusalem has an obligation to protect them against malevolent forces from within President Ahmed Al-Sharaa's camp.

Sectarian clashes have intensified in Syria's predominantly Druze region of Sweida, highlighting challenges faced by the Islamist-led government. Despite efforts to restore peace, violence between Druze and Bedouin tribes continues,

"Silence and standing idly by are no longer an option,” Druze leader Sheikh Mowafak Tarif wrote. Israel's Druze spiritual leadership called on its community to prepare to assist their Syrian counterparts “by all means necessary,

U.S. Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack says that Israel and Syria have agreed to a ceasefire, following Israel’s intervention this week in fighting between Syrian government forces and Bedouin tribes and armed groups from the Druze minority.

Syria's foreign ministry has accused Israel of bearing full responsibility for recent military actions in southern Syria. The ministry emphasized its commitment to protecting all Syrian citizens, including the Druze minority.

Israel says it's trying to protect the Druze community in south-west Syria, where there have been deadly sectarian clashes.

Israel stepped up its attacks on regime targets in Syria for the third consecutive day on Wednesday in what it said was an effort to protect the Druze community in southern Syria, after reports that hundreds of residents had been killed in clashes with Bedouin gunmen and Syrian government forces over recent days.

Mourners gather around the flag draped coffin of Druze Israeli Lieutenant Colonel Salman Habaka in the village of Yanuh Jat, northern Israel, Friday, Nov. 3, 2023.