Druzskaya support with a bomb

Israeli troops struck Damascus in defense of the Syrian Druzov. A new turn of the Middle Eastern War?

The Islamists tried to arrange a massacre in the settlement of Druzov in Syria. More than 100 people died. Israel promised to intercede for an ethnic minority and even dropped a bomb next to the presidential palace in Damascus. Türkiye lifted its planes into the air. What caused the conflict and how can it end? Novyevropa discussed the situation in the Middle East with experts.

Bloody fake

The Israeli Air Force struck next to the presidential palace in Damascus. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the purpose of the blow was to prevent the deployment of Syrian troops near the borders of Israel and protect Druzov in the south of Syria. The attack followed a series of reprisals over the Druz after the appearance of a fake audio recording on the network, allegedly on behalf of one of the Druzhsky spiritual leaders, who negatively speaks about Islam.

The Chancellery of the Prime Minister of Israel reports that Benjamin Netanyahu talked with the spiritual leader of Israel's friendly community Sheikh Muafak Tarif. Sheikh Tariff thanked the Prime Minister for his indication decisively to protect Druzov in Syria in recent days, including the decision to bomb the complex of the presidential palace in Damascus. Sheikh Tariff also said that the aggressive actions taken by the Prime Minister became a restraining signal for the Syrian regime regarding Israel's obligations regarding the Druck community in Syria.

Damascus states that representatives of the Syrian government have already reached an agreement with the leaders of the Druzov. However, Israel is worried about the outbreak of violence against this ethnic minority, as a result of which more than 100 Drucov died last week. The Syrian government announced that it sent security forces to the Druzhsky areas to combat the "criminal groups", which it accused of inciting clashes.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Syria Asaad al-Shaibani said that "any call for external intervention, under any pretext or slogan, leads only to a further deterioration in the situation and split."

However, in February, the Prime Minister of Israel warned that he would not tolerate “no threat to the Druzhskaya community in the south of Syria” by the new authorities of the country.

According to the data of the Syrian Center for Human Rights (SOHR), in Ashrafiyat Sakhny, the city on the southern outskirts of Damascus, in the Druzky suburb of Jaraman and in the southern province of Eswood, where the Druze constituted at least 102 people. Of these, about 70 are Druzu, the rest are employees of the security services of the new Syrian authorities and the militants loyal to them, to whom the Druze exerted armed resistance.

Groups coalition

The head of the transitional authorities of Syria, temporary president Ahmed al-Sharaa promised to protect numerous religious and ethnic minorities living in the country.

“In total, hundreds of thousands of Druzov live in Syria today. Their exact number is unknown, but it can be assumed that it is approximately 600-650 thousand, ”the military observer David Sharp tells the“ New Evrope ”.

-Most-this is about 400-500 thousand Syrian Druzov-lives in the province of Eswood, located 40-50 kilometers from the border of Israel opposite the southern part of the Golan heights.

Israel and Eswoode shares the province of Dara inhabited by Muslims. Also, six Druzhsky villages are located right at Israeli territory near Mount Hermon. In one of them, Hezbollah once actively acted, which made the settlement with its stronghold. Terrorists arranged sabotage against Israel. ”

Also, according to David Sharp, the couple of Druzhsky settlements are located near Damascus. In this region, the coalition of Islamic groups under the leadership of the new Syrian temporary president Ahmed al-Sharaa, previously known as the Abu Muhammad al-Julani, dominates. Some time ago, a record appeared on the Internet on which someone insults the Prophet Muhammad. The voice was attributed to one of the friends Sheikhs (religious and public leaders). And although the country's leadership recognized this statement false and called the whole situation a fake, individual divisions of jihadists began aggression against the Druzov living in the vicinity of the Syrian capital.

Restless jihadists

“The shootings began and the first dead appeared,” continues the story David Sharp. - At first, the Druze fought quite effectively, but then militants from power structures pulled up to the place of hostilities, supposedly in order to dilute the sides of the conflict. Together Islamists killed dozens of Druzov. Then, armed reinforcements went to the aid of their compatriots from Eswoody on several cars. On the enemy territory on the way to Damascus, this column was ambushed by restless Bedouins-jihadists, who killed all the Druzovs traveling in cars. It must be recalled that the Sunnites-Islamists consider Druzov heretics and apostates from the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. In addition, the Druze supported the Assad regime overthrown by the Ash Sharaa coalition, which was hated by the majority of the Syrians. So with the Druzs many jihadists who seized power in Syria, special scores. ”

“After the attacks of the forces of the new Syrian regime on the Druzov Israel, fulfilling this previously promise about protection, a series of airstrikes in Syrian military facilities made,” says military expert David Gandelman. -Also, Israeli helicopters delivered equipment to the Druzam in Eswood and evacuated the Druzhsky wounded. At the moment, the level of clashes with the Druz has decreased, but at any moment it can grow again. The forces of the new Syrian regime are essentially a conglomerate of jihadist Sunni groups, some of them want to establish the government of the government of al-Julani (Ash Sharaa) throughout Syria, and some simply want to cut the infidels, in this case, and not all these groups are equally densely controlled by the government. ”

Military journalist Sergei Ausleder says that Druze professes their version of Islam. Recently, about 600 Drukh Sheikhs, as part of the national holiday, visited the grave of their prophet, located in Israel. This angry with the Islamists and was an occasion for aggression.

Sergei Ausleder recalls that Israel took control of the buffer zone on the border with the Syrian province of Kuner after the Syrian Islamists overturned the Assad regime in November last year. This zone includes spurs of Mount Hermon and part of the territory of the Golan heights. One of the reasons was to ensure the safety of the Druzky population.

The split of the community

David Sharp claims that al-Sharaa does not want to give Druzam any autonomy with self-government and the right to have militarized formations armed with heavy types of weapons. The temporary president of Syria has already nominated two main conditions: the administration set by the new authority will be controlled by the Druzhsky habitats, and at the same time, the Druze will begin to disarm and surrender at least heavy weapons. The opinions of the Druzhskaya community were divided. Some of its members believe that it is necessary to compromise with Damascus, and these people have even signed an agreement with Ash Sharaa. But many are afraid of Islamists and want to resist them.

Once the same Ash Sharaa, while still a militant, stated that he would support the re-education of Druzov on the path of true faith. It is clear to everyone what it means.

Sergei Ausleder also says that among the Druzov there was a kind of split: some of the sheikhs spoke in order to meet Ash Sharaa and disarm. However, a considerable number of members of the friendly community, remembering the experience of the recent Alavit massacre in the provinces of Latakia and Tartus, does not trust the Islamists. The so-called Military Council of Eswoodye refused to lay down their weapons and put the Jihadist militants into their territory.

According to Sergei Ausleder, Ahmed al-Sharaa does not control all Islamists in Syria. Now in the country there is a kind of freemen. However, Israel demands that the new authorities stop all attempts to attack Druzov.

“Inside themselves, the Druze in different countries constantly divided and divide into warring clans, atrashi against the Hamdans, the jumblates against the Arslanes, etc.,” says David Gandelman. -But with external threats, the proverb “Druze as a copper tray, you will hit in one place-it will respond everywhere”: if the Druzs threatens with danger, everyone rises. But how exactly they rise, it already depends on the specifics at the moment. Now, for example, the Syrian Druzky religious authority of Hikmat al-Hijri calls for international assistance and says that the government of al-Julani (Ash Sharaa) does not recognize, another Syrian authority Lit al-Balus, on the contrary, calls for cooperation with the government and against separatist sentiments and foreign assistance. But depending on the situation, the name of the appeals may change. The same al-Hijri two months ago voiced the line that al-Balus is now voiced. The Israeli Druze, led by the Muafak Tariff, require military assistance from the Israeli government, and the leader of the Lebanese Druzov Valid Dzhumblat goes to bow to al-Julani and condemns contacts with Israel. ”

There was about the same alignment in 2015-2018, when the Syrian Druze was threatened by the Sunni rebels who now came to power, and Israel promised the Druzm defense, recalls David Gandelman.

And the previous similar round was in 1954, when the Syrian authorities suppressed another riot of Druzov, and the Israeli Druzu demanded the help of Israel.

The then Prime Minister Moshe Sharett objected against the “peripheral policy” of Ben-Gurion, based on the minorities of the Middle East and believed that we had to negotiate with the Arab majority, so Israel did not intervene at that time.

Druze living in different countries, according to some experts, usually adhere to the principle of maintaining fidelity to the current government. David Sharp says that, for example, in Israel, the Druzhskaya community is a little more than one percent of the population, but at the same time is very noticeable to their immigrants, who showed themselves perfectly in military service and rose to high ranks. The Syrian Druze actively supported the regime of Bashar al -Assad, realizing that it would be much more difficult for them to agree with the Islamists. At the same time, the Syrian Druze was opposed to Israel.

Sergei Ausleder confirms that the Druze is usually loyal to the authorities in the country where they live. As a rule, Druze operates in government agencies or serve in the army. This is happening in Israel, so it was in Syria under Bashar al -Assade.

“Druze as an ethno -religious minority, which has long lived separately, with its mysterious religion, originating from the extreme branches of Shiism with the addition of elements of other religions such as the migration of souls, are primarily interested in autonomy in their places of residence,” said David Handelmann. - For the sake of this, throughout history, they repeatedly raised riots against the Turkish, French and Arab authorities that violated their freedom, and in our time it is more often poured into political maneuvers, and different fractions of the Druze are looking for another strong hand that will ensure their survival and their interests. There is an anti -historical myth of “Friends is true to the country in which he lives”, especially funny against the backdrop of the centuries -old reputation of Druzov as mountain robbers, faithful only to themselves, and in reality this is precisely political maneuvering and calculation, who has power. ”

A trap for Israel

The Israeli Druze, according to David Handelman, assessing the local Jewish-Arab alignment of the forces, for the most part concluded the blood union with Israel. They serve in the army and other power structures up to general posts, in exchange for preferences before the Arab population and official recognition by a separate religion, and opponents of this line are marginal among them. In Syria, Druzi calls themselves Muslims, part also made a military career as the late General Issam Zakhreddin, and some tried to stay aside in the stormy Syrian political showdowns, if only they would not touch them. Therefore, during the Civil War, Druzu was somewhere: some on the side of Assad, who is against, and who retained neutrality, and sometimes the parties changed.

In Lebanon, the entire domestic policy of which was built on the balance sheet of faiths, the friends' factions also constantly maneuvered according to the situation: for the Syrians, against the Syrians, an alliance with Hizballa, enmity with Hezbollah, etc.

“And about the current moment, it must also be emphasized that foreign Druze in itself is not allies to Israel,” says David Handelman. - The same General Zakhreddin would have completely led the Syrian army to Israel if the story had turned so. Other Syrian Druzi completely fought against Israel, and the Lebanese Druze, led by Walid Dzhumblet, fought shoulder to shoulder with the Palestinians in 1982 and cheerfully burned Israeli tanks. But the Syrian Druze are the brothers of our faithful allies, Israeli Druzov, as well as in the current situation, these are the enemies of our enemies in the person of Jihadists al-Julani (Ash-Sharaa) and the Turkey standing behind him. Therefore, in the purely humanitarian and in the political aspect, Israel is interested in helping them, but so as not to fall into another extreme and not to drown with the head in the Syrian porridge of the war against everyone. Israel is now fighting without this on several fronts. And it is always necessary to take into account the variability and changeability of the Syrian Drucov already described above. ”

“Jerusalem fell into a specific trap,” remarks David Sharp. - It can not allow the Druz genocide, living a few tens of kilometers from their border, Israel cannot. This is impossible from both moral and political points of view. In addition, the Israeli is beneficial for the Israeli that autonomy that does not obey Damascus arises in Syria. The internal factor is also very significant: Israeli Druze requires maximum assistance to their Syrian fellow tribesmen. Representatives of this movement had already burned car tires on Israeli streets, blocked roads, arranged demonstrations at the house of the head of government. ”

Bombing requirement

“The clashes of the Druzov and Islamists began in the suburbs of Damascus called Jaraman, and then spread to the province of Eswood,” said Sergey Ausleder. - In Jaraman, dozens of people died. Almost immediately, Israel made it clear to Ash Sharaa, which would not give offense to the Syrian Druzov. And although the bomb, dropped by an Israeli plane, fell a hundred meters from the presidential palace in the wasteland, she clearly made it clear to the new Syrian authorities what could happen to her if someone decides to touch Druzov. In addition, the Israeli drone destroyed a car with three militants, who in the province of Eswoody moved towards the settlement, where Druze lives compactly to arrange a serious terrorist attack. ”

As a result, according to David Sharp, the Aviation DSAL (Israeli Defense Army) struck the empty field of 500 meters from the Ash-Sharaa Presidential Palace in Damascus, warning that the Druze was located under Israeli protection. In addition, air strikes on army armament warehouses and military facilities continue.

“Israel took responsibility for the shelling of the President of the President of ASh-Sharaa,” says Sergey Auslander. - Representatives of the office of the head of the Israeli government directly stated that this was an unambiguous warning to the new Syrian regime not to touch the Druzov. During the conflict, there are already more than 100 killed on both sides. There is information about the abduction of Druzov. Therefore, the reaction of Israel is very timely. ”

In fact, according to David Sharp, Israel is put forward by Damascus not to try to impose his power to Druzam military by military, as well as curbing restless jihadists who are aggressive against the Druze.

Sergei Ausleder lists the reasons that prompted Israel to take the Syrian Druzov under his patronage. These are security guarantees given by Druzam both directly Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as the Minister of Defense and the chief of the General Staff of the IDF. Violation of such obligations would destroy the image of the Jewish state. The second reason is a close alliance between the Israelis and Druz, which has become the most durable similar to the Union for Jews in the Middle East.

It should also be borne in mind that the Druze and Alawites are currently distracting the attention of the security forces of Ash Sharaa, preventing them from concentrating on Israel.

«Как только новая власть покончит с друзами и авалитами, она обратит свой пылкий взор на Израиль, — убежден Сергей Ауслендер. — Чтобы этого не случилось, ЦАХАЛ должен наносить по джихадистам болезненные удары. Этим и было вызвано письмо, направленное аш-Шараа израильскими властями с требованием оставить в покое друзов. В противном случае сам временный президент Сирии будет убит. Говорят, что это произвело на аш-Шараа очень сильное впечатление. Также удары наносились в районе Дамаска, в провинции Даръа, в районе города Хама, по склонам горы Касиун. Под удар попали склады сирийской армии, стоянки бронетехники, ракетные установки, а также все, что находилось в опасной близости от друзских районов».

Сергей Ауслендер рассказывает, что израильские вертолеты перебросили в провинцию Эс-Сувейда снаряжение и, возможно, вооружение для друзов, параллельно эвакуируя оттуда раненых друзов, пострадавших в столкновениях с исламистами. Также ЦАХАЛ продвинулся вперед в провинции Кунейтра. Армия Израиля ввела войска с тяжелой бронетехникой к городам Бейджен и Хадер и перекрыла там дороги для того, чтобы не дать исламистам приблизиться к друзским поселениям.

«На данный момент Израиль ограничивается авиаударами и доставкой помощи, а наземные операции, как всегда, зависят от географии: друзские поселения на севере Голанских высот, такие как Хадер, находятся рядом с буферной зоной, которую армия обороны Израиля и так уже заняла после свержения Асада, — объясняет Давид Гендельман. — И там особой проблемы нет, а пригороды Дамаска Сахнайя и Джараман, где живут друзы, и тем более основной район проживания друзов в области Эс-Сувейда находятся на расстоянии нескольких десятков километров от границы, за территорией, населенной враждебными суннитами. Поход туда — это полномасштабная фронтовая операция. А Израилю сейчас и других фронтов хватает, как уже сказано, и такие походы ЦАХАЛ сейчас не с руки. Поэтому в целом действия ведутся по обстановке, если будут новые нападения, вероятны новые авиаудары, а если друзы договорятся с аль-Джулани, значит, так тому и быть».

В небе над Дамаском

Нельзя, по мнению Сергея Ауслендера, забывать про турецкий фактор. Сегодня Турция фактически является врагом Израиля. Поэтому израильскому правительству необходимо проявить твердость в своих ударах по турецким прокси в Сирии. Иначе Израиль могут ждать в скором будущем большие проблемы. Турция уже ввела свои войска в Сирию и планирует разместить авиацию на базе Т4 возле Пальмиры. Так Израиль может дождаться того, что турецкая армия подойдет вплотную к буферной зоне на сирийской границе. Поскольку Израилю абсолютно не нужна война с Турцией, Сергей Ауслендер считает, что стоит сразу дать понять, что ничего хорошего в таком конфликте турков не ждет.

«Есть информация, что в то время, когда израильские ВВС наносили удары по территории Сирии, в небо были подняты турецкие самолеты, пытавшиеся демонстрировать свое присутствие и таким образом помешать выполнению задания, — говорит Давид Шарп. — Подобных инцидентов следовало ожидать. Уверен, что Эрдоган воспользуется этой ситуацией для очередных обвинений Израиля и новых угроз. Очень плохие отношения между Иерусалимом и Анкарой еще сильнее ухудшатся. Вероятно, что турки будут пытаться создавать помехи работе ЦАХАЛ. К примеру, размещая свои войска на территории Сирии. В такой ситуации появится опасность, что под израильский удар попадут турецкие солдаты, что грозит серьезными политическими последствиями и дальнейшей эскалацией».

В какой-то момент у Сергея Ауслендера появилась информация, что от границы с Турцией в воздушном пространстве Сирии в район, где ВВС Израиля ведут бомбардировку, направляется большая группа турецких самолетов. Судя по всему, перед ними была поставлена задача вытеснить израильские ВВС за пределы страны. Однако, по словам Сергея Ауслендера, израильские пилоты не обратили на маневры турков никакого внимания.

«В небе над Ближним Востоком ВВС Израиля не знает себе равных, — заявляет Сергей Ауслендер. — Потенциал израильских военно-воздушных сил значительно выше турецких. У ЦАХАЛ есть две эскадрильи истребителей пятого поколения F-35, самолеты F-15 и F-16 последних модификаций. Колоссальный военный опыт и другие преимущества не оставляют противнику шансов. Правда, какой-нибудь дерзкий турецкий пилот может выпустить ракету, будет сбит, и тогда начнется схватка. Но повторюсь: Израиль этой войны не хочет!»

Давид Шарп рассказывает, что Израиль на переговорах в Баку предлагал турецкой стороне варианты снижения напряжения в отношениях. К примеру, ходили слухи о возможности разделить Сирию на зоны безопасности. Так на севере страны не будут действовать силы израильской армии, на юг не станут заходить турки, а в центре страны любые военные операции будут требовать совместного согласования. Столкновения с Турцией никто в Израиле не желает.