📅 May 6, 2025, Post 19: Sectarian Faultlines in Syria: The Druze Dilemma Amid Jihadist Rule | Target IAS-26 MCQs Attached: A complete Package, Dear Aspirants!
Sectarian Faultlines in Syria: The Druze Dilemma Amid Jihadist Rule
🔹 NEWS DROP — PETAL 019
📅 May 6, 2025
🎯 GS Paper 2 | International Relations – West Asia, Minorities, and Geopolitical Conflicts
🌀 Intro Whisper
In a land torn by decade-long war, a quiet mountain people now stand at the edge—guarding their faith, surrounded by fury.
🔍 Key Highlights
- Recent sectarian clashes near Damascus have erupted between Sunni Islamist groups and the Druze minority after a viral audio sparked religious outrage.
- The conflict has spread to Jaramana and Sweida, destabilising regions already outside direct control of Syria’s post-Assad authorities.
- Druze fighters have retaliated, further escalating local tensions.
- The new ruling groups claim to seek stability, but their jihadist roots raise suspicion, especially among minorities.
🧠 About the Druze Community
- Emerged in 11th-century Egypt, rooted in Ismaili Shia traditions, but distinct.
- Believe in reincarnation, recognize multiple Abrahamic prophets, and follow the Kitab al-Hikma (Book of Wisdom).
- No conversions allowed; intermarriage is rare, making them a closed and bonded society.
- Roughly 1 million Druze live across Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Israel.
🌍 Geopolitical Presence & Israel’s Role
- In Syria, Druze inhabit Sweida province, southern Damascus, and Golan Heights.
- 25,000 Druze remain in Golan Heights after Israel’s 1981 annexation; about 25% hold Israeli citizenship.
- During Syria’s civil war, Israel supported Druze communities while also expanding control over Golan, sparking criticism.
- The ongoing Israel-Gaza war, with 50,000+ deaths, further complicates West Asia’s sectarian narrative.
🧭 GS Paper Mapping
- GS2: International Relations – Ethnic & Religious Minorities
- GS1: Geography – Golan Heights, West Asian borders
- Current Affairs: Israel-Palestine War, Syrian Civil War
Target IAS-26: Daily MCQs :
📌 Prelims Practice MCQs
Topic:
🧠 Prelims MCQ (Type 3 – Multiple Correct Options)
Q. With reference to the Druze community and their geopolitical presence, consider the following statements:
The Druze originated as an offshoot of Sunni Islam in 9th century Iraq.
The Druze follow a closed faith system that does not allow conversion.
A large Druze population lives in the Golan Heights under Israeli jurisdiction.
The Druze community permits interfaith marriages with other Abrahamic religions.
How many of the above statements are correct?
A) Only two
B) Only three
C) All four
D) Only one
🌀 Didn’t get it? Click here (▸) for the Correct Answer & Explanation
✅ Correct Answer: A) Only two
🧠 Explanation:
•1) ❌ Incorrect – Druze roots are in 11th-century Ismaili Shia Islam in Egypt, not Sunni Islam or 9th-century Iraq.
•2) ✅ Correct – The faith is closed; conversion is not allowed.
•3) ✅ Correct – ~25,000 Druze live in the Golan Heights, many under Israeli jurisdiction.
•4) ❌ Incorrect – Interfaith marriage is highly discouraged and extremely rare.
