Israel Air-Drops Aid to Syrian Druze, Angering Damascus

Syrian security officials claim Israel is providing weekly aerial aid to separatist elements within the Druze community in southern Syria, a move that has infuriated the Damascus government. The officials stated that this support for figures like spiritual leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajri, who has declared Druze are an "inseparable part of Israel," is hindering potential solutions for the region.

Al-Hajri has become a dominant figure in the Jabal Druze area since the Syrian regime's alleged massacres there. He advocates for Druze separatism and closer ties with Israel, adopting a hawkish stance against the government of Ahmed al-Shar'a. Syrian security sources told Kan News that Israel's weekly airlifts to al-Hajri and his "National Guard" associates are seen by Damascus as an attempt to strengthen him.

Damascus believes Israel's increased support for al-Hajri is pushing a resolution further away, with one official noting that unlike the Kurds who presented conditions, al-Hajri has not even set terms for a solution. The Syrian government is frustrated by Israel's actions, fearing it could backfire. They hope the United States will intervene to align Israel on the Druze issue, similar to how they reportedly handled the Kurdish situation.