A new threat is brewing near Israel's border - media
The situation in southern Syria is escalating around the Suwayda province, home to a significant portion of Syrian Druze. Orientalist Eddie Cohen, in a column for Channel 14, warns that increased pressure from Damascus could create a new problem near Israel's borders. Cohen claims the province is under blockade, with restrictions on flour, fuel, and medicine supplies. He calls on Israel to move from political support for the Druze to practical assistance, including arms supplies.
The situation in southern Syria is escalating around the Suwayda province, where a significant portion of Syrian Druze live. Orientalist Eddie Cohen, in a column for Channel 14, warns that increased pressure from Damascus could create a new problem near Israel's borders. According to his assessment, after suppressing Kurdish resistance, the Syrian leadership is shifting its main focus to the Druze community. Cohen claims the province is under blockade: additional Syrian security force checkpoints have appeared on the roads leading to it, and the delivery of several essential goods has become significantly more difficult. On the Damascus-Suwayda highway, supplies of flour, fuel, and medicine are restricted. Water and electricity outages are recorded in the province itself. Cohen believes that the final subjugation of Suwayda would allow Damascus to strengthen control over the southern regions and bring armed formations closer to the Israeli border. He also notes the presence of Turkish-made equipment at the entrances to the province. The spiritual leader of the Syrian Druze, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, has declared a close connection between his community and Israel. Cohen calls on Israel to move from political support for the Druze to practical assistance, including supplies of food, fuel, weapons, and drones. This proposal is the author's position and does not represent an official decision of the Israeli government.