A prominent Lebanese Druze spiritual leader warned Saturday that recent violence in Syria is part of a broader “sedition project” aimed at fragmenting the country along sectarian lines, with Israel playing a destabilizing role through calculated interference.
Sheikh Sami Abi al-Mona, the Grand Sheikh of the Druze in Lebanon, called for restraint and unity during a meeting with Arab and Turkish diplomats at the Druze Community House in Beirut. He urged Syrians—particularly Druze—to avoid being drawn into conflict and emphasized the need for cooperation with the Syrian government to rebuild the state.
“These events are not organic,” Abi al-Mona said. “They are part of a project designed to create internal strife and exploit minority fears to weaken Syria.” He called on international powers to intervene diplomatically and condemned inflammatory rhetoric and “suspicious projects” being pushed from outside the country.
In southern Syria, tensions have escalated after an inflammatory audio recording insulting the Prophet Muhammad sparked violent protests and deadly clashes. Israel intervened militarily in the Damascus suburb of Ashrafieh Sahnaya under the pretext of protecting the Druze population— strikes that resulted in civilian casualties and further inflamed tensions.
Critics say Israel’s actions are self-serving and dangerous. “Israel wants to present itself as the protector of the Druze to justify its regional ambitions,” said Dr. Salim Barik, a political science expert who spoke to the New Arab. “But this policy only deepens divisions and jeopardizes the Druze in Syria.”
Former Israeli Knesset member Said Nafa, who was imprisoned for a year in Israel following visits to Druze areas in Syria, also denounced Israeli involvement. “This is not about support—it’s manipulation,” he said. “Highlighting this so-called protection isolates the Druze and fuels accusations of separatism.”
Israeli Druze leaders, including Sheikh Muwaffaq Tarif, have publicly urged Israeli intervention. However, Druze figures in Lebanon and Syria have rejected any suggestion of outside sponsorship or a separate Druze identity. “We are an Arab Islamic Maroufi tribe,” Sheikh Abi al-Mona said. “We refuse to be a tool in any foreign agenda.”
The Grand Mufti of Syria, Sheikh Osama al-Rifai, echoed calls for unity and restraint. “Beware of sedition,” he said in a televised address. “Our enemies want us divided. All Syrian blood is sacred.”
Political leaders including Walid Jumblatt warned that Syria faces a stark choice: pursue reconciliation and unity or fall into the trap of external manipulation. “The Israeli project will not protect the Druze,” he said. “It will use them—and discard them.”
Despite deep wounds, Druze leaders across borders called for renewed dialogue, rejecting the path of violence and foreign interference. Sheikh Suleiman Abdul Baqi, leader of the Free Jabal al-Arab group, stated, “We reject the interference of any foreign party in Syria’s internal affairs. We are Syrians, our identity is Syrian, and we want to build the country and live in peace.”
