Druze Factions of al-Suwayda': Interview with Kata'ib Dir' al-Tawhid

In recent news and discussion about Syria, the predominantly Druze province of al-Suwayda’ has come into focus on account of Israeli statements about protecting the Druze and demands for ‘demilitarising’ the province and other regions of southern Syria: in my view, a needlessly aggressive demand, which, along with the Israeli incursion into parts of southern Syria since the fall of the Assad regime, has only provoked hostility, when in fact the opportunity of the fall of Assad’s regime could have been used to promote a more conciliatory stance, seeing as there are Syrians open to a pragmatic stance towards Israel. In addition, premature and sensationalist analysis from the reliably absurd Hussain Abdul Hussain has emerged, claiming that the Druze of Syria are intending to secede en masse and join Israel.

Among the notable local Druze factions that have come to prominence in al-Suwayda’ since the fall of the Assad regime is Kata’ib Dir‘ al-Tawhid (‘Shield of Monotheism Battalions,’ referring to the fact that the Druze call themselves Muwahhidun- ‘Monotheists’). Below is an interview conducted today with a representative of the group. It should offer corrective and nuance to understanding the position of a sizeable segment of Druze in the province: skepticism about the current government in Damascus, not necessarily hostile to Israel, and adhering to the directives issued by Druze spiritual leader Shaykh Hikmat al-Hijri. Others in the province may of course disagree and be more conciliatory towards the current government and more hostile to Israel (especially in light of the recent statements and strikes). In any event, it is very wrong to speak of supposed mass secession to join Israel.

Q: Could you tell us about Kata’ib Dir‘ al-Tawhid? When it was formed, the reason for its formation, is it affiliation with the Joint Operation Room in which other factions like Liwa al-Jabal and Faz‘at Shabab al-Jabal?