Israel Continues to Support Sheikh Druze Forces in Syrian Suwayda Through the 'QSD' Organization

Israeli officials said that Israel continues to support the forces of Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, one of the spiritual leaders of the Druze sect, in the Suwayda governorate in southern Syria, through the terrorist organization "YPG/PKK" known as "QSD".

This came in a report published by, quoting current and former Israeli officials, as well as Druze and Kurdish officials (whose names were not mentioned).

The officials said that Israel seeks to shape the course of developments in Syria by supporting Druze militias allied with it, as part of an effort to weaken Syrian national cohesion, and to complicate the efforts of Syrian President Ahmed al-Shar'a to unify the country after its long war.

The officials explained that Israel, in response to the "sudden rise" of al-Shar'a, carried out an airlift operation of weapons to armed Druze groups inside Syria on December 17, just days after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's regime on December 8, 2024.

They reported that these "secret supplies" were not limited to weapons, but also included humanitarian aid, considering it part of Israel's ongoing efforts for years to support the Druze.

It reported that the flow of weapons peaked in April, then declined in August following Israel's shift to negotiations with al-Shar'a, after doubts emerged among Israeli officials regarding the reliability of the Syrian Druze separatists and their ability to achieve their goals.

A former Israeli official confirmed that Tel Aviv continues to provide support, including military equipment such as bulletproof vests and medical supplies.

The report quoted Druze officials that Israel pays monthly salaries ranging from 100 to 200 dollars to about 3,000 Druze fighters.

The Israeli Air Force carried out hundreds of air strikes on military facilities inside Syria to prevent al-Shar'a from accessing weapons.

The Israeli Ministry of Defense also established a new administrative office to coordinate the shipment of weapons and humanitarian aid to al-Hijri's fighters in Syria.

A former Israeli official said that Israel began, within 10 days of the fall of the Assad regime, providing military support to the Druze, and that a large part of the weapons provided had been previously seized from Hamas or Hezbollah elements, and they are used weapons.

On the other hand, some Israeli officials indicated that Israel's support for the Druze is not new, but dates back to the period of the Syrian civil war.

Three former Israeli officials explained that Israeli military officers entered Syria after the outbreak of the war in 2011, and trained Druze militias and provided them with weapons and medical treatment, often in coordination with Jordan and the United States.

They added that Israeli aid to the Druze continues, but at a slower pace and volume.

The report mentioned that Druze leaders in Israel, before the fall of the Assad regime, searched for a Syrian Druze figure capable of leading about 700,000 Druze in Syria in the event of the regime's fall, and approached Tarik al-Shoufi, who previously served in the Assad army.

One official explained that 20 personalities with military experience were selected and ranks and tasks were distributed among them, and work began on forming a group called "The Military Council" in the Suwayda governorate.

He added that "The Military Council", which was led by al-Shoufi at the time, received the support of Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, one of the spiritual leaders of the Druze, born in Venezuela, who called for Israeli support to establish an independent Druze state.

Another official pointed out that some entities in the Israeli security institutions transferred an amount of 24,000 dollars to al-Shoufi through the terrorist organization "QSD".

He confirmed that these funds were used to convert an old building into a command center, in addition to purchasing military uniforms and basic equipment.

In the same period, the report clarified that "QSD" paid about half a million dollars separately to the armed Druze group known as "The Military Council", which was confirmed by a former Israeli official and two Druze leaders in Syria.

The officials added that "QSD" trained Druze fighters, including women, in the Kurdish areas in northeastern Syria, and this training continues.

The report quoted a Western official that Sheikh al-Hijri prepared maps related to a "Druze state" planned to be established in the future, and presented them to at least one major Western government in early 2025.

Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime on December 8, 2024, the government has been seeking to impose security in Syria, while some groups insist on spreading chaos and carrying weapons, which Damascus confirmed it will not allow, and its determination to extend its control over all territories.