Sharaa, has vowed to protect the Druze minority amid deadly clashes in their heartland. A UK-based war monitor has put the death toll from the sectarian violence at 360. DW has more.

The Druze, a small but significant religious minority, straddle the complex political landscape of Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan. Their influence is notable in regional politics, amid rising violence in Syria.

SANA says women and children among those killed by armed groups following withdrawal of government forces in Sweida

The White House is attributing the outbreak of violence in the Middle East between the Syrian government and Israel to a "misunderstanding" over ethnic grudges.

Hundreds of Druze from Israel pushed across the border in solidarity with their Syrian cousins they feared were under attack. Many then met relatives never seen before.

The Druze faith has deep connection to Greek philosophy, especially Pythagorean and Platonic thought, and its belief in reincarnation.

In Sweida, Syria, Druze are being massacred by the hundreds, their women and children kidnapped, and their spiritual leaders tortured by the ruling Islamists. The Syrians already tried killing Syrian Druze in 2018, when 258 Druze were murdered in Sweida.

A fragile ceasefire signed by Damascus and Suwayda leaders appeared to hold, as Syria's president vowed accountability for those behind violence against the Druze community.

A new wave of deadly sectarian violence in southern Syria has drawn renewed attention to the Druze minority as well as escalating tensions between Syria and Israel.This week, at least 30 people were killed and dozens injured during clashes between Druze militias and Bedouin tribal fighters in Suwayda,