Fighting broke out in Jaramana, a Druze-majority town near Damascus, between Syrian government forces and local Druze gunmen, leaving one person dead and nine injured, according to Alma Research & Education Center, which provides updates on Israel’s northern border security.
According to the report, the clashes started on Saturday when Druze fighters set up a checkpoint, stopping Syrian security forces and demanding they surrender their weapons. A confrontation followed, resulting in one security officer being killed and another injured and captured. Both sides called in reinforcements, and fighting continued throughout Saturday.
Following the clashes, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the Israeli military to “prepare to defend” Jaramana, warning Syria’s government not to harm the Druze.
“We shall not allow Syria’s extremist Islamic regime to harm the Druze. Should the regime harm the Druze, it will be struck by us,” Katz said. “We are committed to our Druze brethren in Israel to do everything to prevent harm to their Druze brethren in Syria, and we will take all the steps required to guarantee their safety.”
Defense journalist Babak Taghvaee reported that the Syrian forces withdrew from the city on Saturday evening after receiving a warning from the Israel Defense Force. He also claimed that three Israeli Air Force F-16s broke the sound barrier over Damascus as a warning to Syria’s new leader Ahmad Al-Sharaa.
#Breaking: It is now confirmed that the town of Jaramana, south of #Damascus, is under the control of #Druze Forces. The #HTS terrorists ruling #Syria retreated from the city last night following a warning from the #Israel Defence Force. Last night, three F-16s of the Israeli Air… pic.twitter.com/bMGWemW4Fm
— Babak Taghvaee – The Crisis Watch (@BabakTaghvaee1) March 2, 2025
The Druze make up about 3% of Syria’s population. Its conflict with the new Syrian forces reportedly stemmed in part, from al-Sharaa’s push to consolidate power by dismantling local militias and integrating them into the new army and security forces. However, the Druze have been hesitant to participate, with notable opposition within their community.
Recent reports claimed that the Druze had seized control of the Sweida airport in Syria and replaced the Syrian revolution flag with their own, and declared the formation of a national army.
HUGE NEWS: Reports say the Druze have taken over the Sweida airport in Syria — and replaced the Syrian revolution flag with their own.
The Druze want to join Israel.
So if this is true, the Druze of Syria will likely join Israel.
What you must understand is that Druze have a… pic.twitter.com/xQRuJhHHx5
— dahlia kurtz ✡︎ דליה קורץ (@DahliaKurtz) February 24, 2025
The plot thickens!
Druze in Sweida, Syria, Declare the Formation of a National Army.
Via @JoeTruzman pic.twitter.com/HN1dBKdR1M
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) March 2, 2025
