Israeli Bomber Strikes Damascus While Syrian TV Reporter Covers the Attack

Kokcha News Agency: In a striking display of military escalation, an Israeli warplane bombed the Damascus airport while a Syrian state TV reporter was live on air, reporting on the recent Israeli airstrikes on the capital and other regions of Syria.

The incident occurred as Israel intensified its bombing campaign over the past two days, following an attack by forces loyal to Ahmad Al-Shara (Abu Muhammad Al-Jolani) on the Suwayda province, which is controlled by the Druze armed forces.

Israel has been supporting the Druze community in Syria, advocating for their independence from the Damascus government. The Druze, a religious minority with a unique history and identity, have been caught in the crossfire of the Syrian conflict.

Who Are the Druze?
The Druze faith emerged in the early 11th century (5th century AH) during the Fatimid Caliphate in Egypt. It originated as an offshoot of Ismailism, a branch of Shia Islam, and was influenced by figures such as Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, the Fatimid caliph, and preachers like Hamza ibn Ali and Muhammad ibn Ismail al-Darzi. The name “Druze” is believed to derive from al-Darzi, though some sources credit Hamza ibn Ali as the primary founder of the faith.

Facing political and religious pressures in Egypt, the Druze migrated to the mountainous regions of the Levant (modern-day Syria and Lebanon), where they established cohesive communities. Throughout history, they have resisted various empires, including the Ottomans and French colonial rule, as well as regional conflicts.

The Druze primarily identify as ethnically Arab, with Arabic being their primary language and an integral part of their cultural identity. However, their religious identity, rooted in Ismailism, sets them apart from other Arab communities.

The largest Druze population resides in Lebanon, where they make up about 5.5% of the population. In Syria, they constitute around 3% of the population, mainly concentrated in the Suwayda province and the Jabal al-Druze (Mountain of the Druze) region. In Israel, the Druze account for approximately 1.6% of the population, with around 143,000 people living primarily in the northern regions, including the Galilee, Carmel, and the Golan Heights. Smaller Druze communities also exist in Jordan, the United States, Canada, Australia, and Brazil.

 

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