Israel To Syria: Here's How To Protect The Druze
Israel is reportedly demanding Syria take the following steps to ensure control of southern Syria without endangering the country's Druze allies.
Israel has sent the Syrian government a message, according to which it will agree to government forces being present in southern Syria near its Druze allies if those forces are General Security forces, not those aligned with the army or the Jihadist Defense Ministry, according to a report today (Thursday) by Kann News.
Israel and Syria have been in intensive talks over the state of southern Syria, especially since a raft of violent attacks against the Druze community in the Suwayda region and in light of Israel's fear of terrorist forces establishing themselves along the country's northern borders.
According to the report, the General Security forces Israel supports are attached to the country's Interior Ministry and is comprised of locals who are likely to be friendly to minorities, including the Druze. This would end the standoff in Suwayda, where the government has cut off the local Druze from basic services until it allows the entry of officials into the area.
Israeli and Syrian representatives are expected to meet in Azerbaijan soon and discuss common issues such as southern Syria and the mutual border.