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Encroaching civil war drives Syria Druze to take up arms
Channel News Asia ^ | 04 Jul 2015 | Iyad Khuder

Posted on 07/04/2015 9:11:12 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican

Unlike most other places in Syria, the southern city of Sweida, a Druze stronghold, has remained intact and safe, until now.

Rebel fighters have advanced close by, battling the soldiers of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad, who have the support of most of the country's 700,000-strong Druze population.

The Druze are an ancient Arab tribe and their faith is mixed with elements of Islam, Christianity and Buddhism. The community in Syria is one of the oldest Druze communities in the world.

Nahla Um Fadi lives in Thaala village just behind the Al-Thaala airbase in the Sweida countryside - the scene of recent fighting. But like others, she has tried to live as normal a life as possible.

"Our army is strong,” she said. “We've been telling the soldiers ‘as long as you are fine, we are fine’. They told us: ‘Don't be afraid, we're not going to leave you alone.’"

But a recent attack that killed 20 Druze citizens in another village in the north of the country has frightened people here. So much so, there has been talk the Druze might seek protection from neighbouring Jordan or even Israel - the country's arch enemy.

Meanwhile, the Syrian Druze spiritual leader has called on everyone who can, to join the government army. The men of the village already have their hands on the trigger, ready to fire if necessary.

Hassan Al-Sous has temporarily swapped his mechanic overalls for an army uniform. He is worried about the rebels' efforts to indoctrinate people to their way of thinking, and wants to ensure they do not succeed.

(Excerpt) Read more at channelnewsasia.com ...


TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events; Syria
KEYWORDS: druze; isis; sweida; syria

1 posted on 07/04/2015 9:11:12 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican
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To: MinorityRepublican

I’ve meet some Druzes in this country. Very nice and very friendly people.


2 posted on 07/04/2015 9:20:18 PM PDT by BBell
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To: MinorityRepublican

I hope the whole world unites against the Sunni Jihadists.


3 posted on 07/04/2015 9:23:23 PM PDT by winner3000
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To: MinorityRepublican

AK’s are a dime a dozen over in the Middle East.
We should be shipping them by CONTAINER LOADS to the CHRISTIANS....................

.................oops, POTUS is a Muzzie.
I ferget.


4 posted on 07/05/2015 5:22:44 AM PDT by Flintlock (Our soapbox is gone, the ballot box stolen--we're left with the bullet box now.)
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To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Berosus; bigheadfred; Bockscar; cardinal4; ColdOne; ...

5 posted on 07/05/2015 10:32:23 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (What do we want? REGIME CHANGE! When do we want it? NOW)
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