Lama al-Hassanieh, terrified by gunfire in her Damascus suburb, is among those voicing alarm as sectarian tensions rise within Syria. Just a few months ago, her home, located in Ashrafiyat Sahnaya, fell under siege by armed groups who shouted threats against the Druze, fueling an already uneasy existence for this unique religious minority, which has historically navigated the treacherous waters of Syria’s complex political environment.
Druze leaders have observed a precarious shift since the onset of the civil war, and increasing sectarian violence is heightening fears of discrimination. Many Druze expressed a certain loyalty to the Assad regime, believing this would safeguard them from extremist violence as the country erupted into chaos. However, recent attacks and a tense atmosphere of fear and uncertainty have resulted in a significant reevaluation of their allegiance.
The situation escalated dramatically in April when sectarian violence erupted after a rumored insult against the Prophet Muhammad allegedly made by a Druze cleric, inciting an outcry from Sunni groups. Reports from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights revealed that over 130 individuals lost their lives, including civilians and security personnel, in the violent clashes that ensued, primarily in Ashrafiyat Sahnaya and surrounding neighborhoods.
Lama Zahereddine, a pharmacy student, recalls how gunfire shattered the safety of her community and forced families to flee. "Our men had nothing to match that," she explained, describing the fear she felt as she sought refuge in her home.
The Druze community also faced violence in academic institutions, highlighting threats to their physical safety beyond just local areas. “How could I stay? I was five classes and one graduation project away from my degree. Why would I abandon that if it wasn't serious?” lamented another local Druze student.
As calls for revenge against the Druze spread across social media platforms, many community members began to question the government's capacity to ensure their safety. Amidst the fear, the role of armed groups linked to the government ignited suspicion and distrust, deepening the sense of vulnerability within Druze enclaves.
Voices like Hadi Abou Hassoun call attention to the ideological shift within the region, marked not by law and order but by a rising tide of sectarian extremism. "What represents us is the law and the state. The law is what protects everyone,” he said.
Amid bombings from Israel aimed at protecting Druze communities, the ambiguity of the present situation is further complicated by government claims of maintaining unity across sects. “Where’s the justice?” lamented Lama al-Hassanieh, expressing the widespread disappointment from a community feeling abandoned and fearful among the shifting allegiances in a war-torn Syria.
The prevailing atmosphere, albeit calm, is laced with caution as Druze families confront a landscape rife with mistrust. "Trust has been broken... It’s hard to know who’s who anymore,” Lama reflected while longing for a time when they might be recognized simply as Syrians, not minoritized individuals in a divided nation.
Druze leaders have observed a precarious shift since the onset of the civil war, and increasing sectarian violence is heightening fears of discrimination. Many Druze expressed a certain loyalty to the Assad regime, believing this would safeguard them from extremist violence as the country erupted into chaos. However, recent attacks and a tense atmosphere of fear and uncertainty have resulted in a significant reevaluation of their allegiance.
The situation escalated dramatically in April when sectarian violence erupted after a rumored insult against the Prophet Muhammad allegedly made by a Druze cleric, inciting an outcry from Sunni groups. Reports from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights revealed that over 130 individuals lost their lives, including civilians and security personnel, in the violent clashes that ensued, primarily in Ashrafiyat Sahnaya and surrounding neighborhoods.
Lama Zahereddine, a pharmacy student, recalls how gunfire shattered the safety of her community and forced families to flee. "Our men had nothing to match that," she explained, describing the fear she felt as she sought refuge in her home.
The Druze community also faced violence in academic institutions, highlighting threats to their physical safety beyond just local areas. “How could I stay? I was five classes and one graduation project away from my degree. Why would I abandon that if it wasn't serious?” lamented another local Druze student.
As calls for revenge against the Druze spread across social media platforms, many community members began to question the government's capacity to ensure their safety. Amidst the fear, the role of armed groups linked to the government ignited suspicion and distrust, deepening the sense of vulnerability within Druze enclaves.
Voices like Hadi Abou Hassoun call attention to the ideological shift within the region, marked not by law and order but by a rising tide of sectarian extremism. "What represents us is the law and the state. The law is what protects everyone,” he said.
Amid bombings from Israel aimed at protecting Druze communities, the ambiguity of the present situation is further complicated by government claims of maintaining unity across sects. “Where’s the justice?” lamented Lama al-Hassanieh, expressing the widespread disappointment from a community feeling abandoned and fearful among the shifting allegiances in a war-torn Syria.
The prevailing atmosphere, albeit calm, is laced with caution as Druze families confront a landscape rife with mistrust. "Trust has been broken... It’s hard to know who’s who anymore,” Lama reflected while longing for a time when they might be recognized simply as Syrians, not minoritized individuals in a divided nation.
