Sharaa's hopes of stitching Syria back together under the rule of his Islamist-led government are complicated by the country's mix of sectarian and ethnic groups. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said it looked like a "misunderstanding" after Israel struck Syria's defense ministry.

They led the Great Syrian Revolt against French colonial rule, fighting for liberalism, the rule of law, and human rights for all. This religious minority known for its dignity, neutrality, resiliency, and peaceful resistance is now being targeted by Jihadi militias supported by the Syrian regime, with tanks artillery, and heavy weapons.

SWEIDA, Syria — The road from Damascus to Sweida winds through outcrops of black volcanic rock, past rainfed vineyards and olive groves and up to the Mountain of the Druze — a natural fortress ...

Outside the Middle East, there is a Druze diaspora, particularly in North America and Australia. Well-known Druze include prominent human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin Clooney and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi.

As Dictator of Syria, ... but none were so bitter as the tribesmen of the Djebel Druze, a rugged group of hills in southern Syria, where in 1954 revolt erupted after years of discontent.

Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, whose fighters led the offensive that toppled the Assad family dynasty in December, has said he will build an inclusive society in a country with a delicate ...

The new leadership vowed to disband all militias. But the fiercely independent Druze have made no agreement, and say they're gathering fighters and making plans to repel government forces if needed.