As political uncertainty continues to grip post-transition Syria, the Druze community in the southern province of Suwayda is making a fervent appeal for increased American intervention. Sheikh Muwaffaq Tarif, the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Israel, has called on Washington to fulfill its obligations to protect Syrian minorities, framing US involvement as the only viable path to prevent further violence and regional escalation.
According to a report by Enab Baladi, Tarif explicitly urged a greater US role in Suwayda during an interview in Geneva on Tuesday, stating that “American support would obviate any Israeli intervention in southern Syria.” In his discussion with Reuters, the spiritual leader expressed hope that the administration of President Donald Trump would act as a global guarantor of rights to prevent any new massacres against the Druze population.
The call for support comes amid a volatile security vacuum in southern Syria following the fall of the former regime. Tarif has outlined specific demands necessary to stabilize the region, which he previously presented to US Special Envoy for Syria, Thomas Barrack, during a meeting in Paris. These demands include the enforcement of a comprehensive ceasefire, the lifting of the siege on Suwayda, and the establishment of a secure land corridor—backed by US guarantees—to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid.
“It is unreasonable to ask the Druze to hand over their weapons,” Tarif stated, reaffirming the community’s right to self-defense and self-determination. He emphasized that any resumption of talks between the central government in Damascus and Suwayda is contingent on rebuilding trust, primarily through the return of displaced residents to their villages in the western and northern foothills.
On the ground, the diplomatic push is mirrored by intensifying civil unrest. On Wednesday, large-scale demonstrations swept through Suwayda, with protesters marching from al-Saraya Square to al-Karama Square. Under the slogan "The right to self-determination," demonstrators rejected the control of what they termed "de facto authorities" and called for a return to the administrative borders prior to the government advances of July 13, 2025.
The situation remains precarious. While US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expressed "optimism" regarding a roadmap for accountability and reconciliation in Suwayda, the Druze leadership remains cautious. Tarif’s current pivot toward Washington appears to be a strategic move to secure protection without triggering a direct conflict involving Israel. Previously, in July, Tarif had harshly criticized the Israeli government for "standing by as spectators" during violent clashes, warning Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that inaction could fracture relations between Israel and its own Druze citizens.