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Druze Consensus on Rejecting Becoming Embroiled in Civil War in Syria

Prominent Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt addresses the gatherers during Monday's meeting Beirut. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Prominent Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt addresses the gatherers during Monday's meeting Beirut. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Druze Consensus on Rejecting Becoming Embroiled in Civil War in Syria

Prominent Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt addresses the gatherers during Monday's meeting Beirut. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Prominent Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt addresses the gatherers during Monday's meeting Beirut. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Druze Sheikh Aql in Lebanon Sami Abou al-Mona stressed on Monday that the Druze community is committed to integration in society and will "not be protected by an enemy."

Prominent Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt warned that "danger is lurking against the essence of our creed and Arab heritage" in Lebanon and beyond.

The leaders made their remarks at a large Druze gathering in Beirut in wake recent developments in Syria and Israeli stances related to the Druze in Damascus. The gatherers, which included senior Druze clerics and figures, were in agreement in rejecting civil war in Syria.

"Despite the changes and no matter how great the challenges, we are dedicated to preserving existential principles and the sect will not abandon them," declared Abou al-Mona.

For his part, Jumblatt said he will pay a new visit to Damascus soon. The former MP was among the first Lebanese officials to travel to Syria after the collapse of the former Assad regime in December. He met with interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus.

Jumblatt said on Monday: "Zionism is using the Druze as soldiers and officers to oppress the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank. Today, they want to pounce on Jabal al-Arab." Jabal al-Arab is a predominantly Druze region in Syria’s southern Sweida province.

"This phase is far more dangerous than the situation we were in on May 17 and the days of the Israeli occupation of Beirut," warned Jumblatt.

"The danger is threatening the essence of our creed and Arab heritage in Lebanon to Jabal al-Arab. The Palestinian cause is another issue and we will leave it up to its people to decide whatever they want," he added.

Furthermore, Jumblatt underlined the need to take the "right stance" during this phase, warning of a "major plot" to drag "the weak willed to a civil war."

"Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif [the Druze leader in Israel] claims to represent the Druze in the region in cooperation with the Zionists. This is not true," he went on to say.

Tensions in Syria

Tensions have been high between the Druze and the Syria’s new rulers, leading to clashes between the two parties and Israel’s threat to intervene to protect the former.

Last week, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that "one person was killed and nine others from Jaramana were injured during clashes between security forces affiliated with the new authority and local gunmen tasked with protecting the area."

It could not specify whether the killed person was a civilian or a local fighter.

Tensions began on Friday when a dispute led to the killing of one security forces member and the wounding of another in a shooting at a checkpoint in Jaramana in Damascus, according to the Observatory.

Syria's official news agency, SANA, quoted Colonel Hossam al-Tahhan, the local head of security, as saying the checkpoint had stopped Ministry of Defense personnel as they entered the area to visit their relatives.

After surrendering their weapons, they were assaulted and "their vehicle was directly targeted by gunfire," resulting in the casualties, Tahhan said.

He warned such incidents could have repercussions on "Syria's security, stability, and unity."

Tahhan said security forces have since started to deploy in the area.

Jaramana's Druze said in a statement that they would "withdraw protection from all offenders and outlaws" and pledged to hand over anyone proven responsible to "the relevant authorities to face justice."

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Saturday warned Syria's new rulers not "to harm the Druze", adding the military has been ordered "to prepare and to send a firm and clear warning: if the regime harms the Druze, it will suffer the consequences."

An Israeli defense ministry statement said the military has been instructed to prepare to defend a Druze settlement in the suburbs of Damascus, asserting that the minority it has vowed to protect was "under attack" by Syrian forces.

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Arab World

Yemeni Tribal Affairs Chief to Houthis: ‘Your Time Is Near’

Sheikh Bakil Naji al-Soufi, head of the Tribal Affairs Authority at Yemen’s Interior Ministry. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Sheikh Bakil Naji al-Soufi, head of the Tribal Affairs Authority at Yemen’s Interior Ministry. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Yemeni Tribal Affairs Chief to Houthis: ‘Your Time Is Near’

Sheikh Bakil Naji al-Soufi, head of the Tribal Affairs Authority at Yemen’s Interior Ministry. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Sheikh Bakil Naji al-Soufi, head of the Tribal Affairs Authority at Yemen’s Interior Ministry. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Sheikh Bakil Naji al-Soufi, head of the Tribal Affairs Authority at Yemen’s Interior Ministry, has warned the Houthis that “your time is near, and you will leave Yemen because of your actions.”

Al-Soufi believes mounting anger in Houthi-controlled areas has moved beyond frustration over economic and living conditions and is nearing a point of action, with tribes awaiting “zero hour” and what he described as a “glimmer of hope” or support from the Yemeni government.

In a new episode of the Asharq Al-Awsat Podcast, recorded in the newspaper’s Riyadh newsroom, al-Soufi discussed the tribal practice of “nakaf,” the Al-Rayyan tribal encampments in Al-Jawf province and relations between the tribes and the Houthis. He also recalled his experience mediating with Houthi leaders more than a decade ago and outlined his view of the future confrontation, pointing to expected military “surprises.”

In the interview, filmed Aug. 20, 2026, al-Soufi described “nakaf” as a tradition under which tribes gather at encampments known as “matarah” when faced with a grievance or a situation requiring mobilization. He said developments in Al-Jawf reflected what tribes had experienced from Houthi conduct and attempts to subjugate and humiliate them.

Al-Soufi explained that tribes had historically been “an integral part of the state” and its supporting “backbone.” Where official institutions are absent, tribal customs and ties play a role in maintaining security and stability.

Deceptive slogans

Al-Soufi noted that the Houthis initially succeeded in appealing to public sentiment when they entered Sanaa by invoking poverty, high prices and corruption. The tribes later discovered, he argued, that those slogans were a means of reaching power.

He accused the group of imposing levies and taxes on various activities and using talk of a “blockade” to justify deteriorating living conditions.

The more significant shift, in his view, is occurring inside Houthi-controlled areas themselves. He stressed that tribes were not merely waiting to join the encampments but that there was broader readiness to move against the Houthis.

“People are only waiting for zero hour,” he stated, adding that he is personally in contact with figures inside Houthi-held areas whose names he declined to disclose. He described the situation as being “on the rim of a volcano.”

Al-Soufi recalled heading a mediation committee between the Houthis and Salafists in Kitaf in 2011 and 2012, when he dealt with Mahdi al-Mashat and met Abu Ali al-Hakim, Youssef al-Fishi and Saleh al-Sammad.

He said that experience led him at the time to conclude that the group was implementing an Iranian project. He described Abu Ali al-Hakim as one of the most important Houthi figures he had encountered because of the security and military portfolios he oversaw.

Failed negotiations

Al-Soufi recounted that years of negotiations had failed to demonstrate an ability to end the crisis. He argued that the Houthis maneuver when under pressure and were more willing to make concessions when in a weaker position.

On the delay in reaching a military resolution, he said the government acts as a state with domestic and international obligations and must weigh the economic and military consequences before and after any battle, unlike armed groups.

The Yemeni official concluded by saying that “strong preparations” were underway and that Yemenis would soon hear of “surprises.”

Asked whether those surprises would be “in the air or on the ground,” he replied briefly: “In the air and on the ground.”

Arab World

Disarmament Stalemate Casts Shadow Over Iraqi Government, Coordination Framework

Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi (Reuters)
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi (Reuters)
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Disarmament Stalemate Casts Shadow Over Iraqi Government, Coordination Framework

Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi (Reuters)
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi (Reuters)

Iraq’s ruling coalition has been forced to abandon plans to create deputy prime minister posts amid disputes over bringing weapons under state control, while sources say political factions are moving to recalculate their shares of the remaining vacant ministries.

Since parliament has approved Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s government on May 15, 2026, giving the green light to 14 out of 23 ministers, political disputes have prevented appointments to nine portfolios, most notably the interior and defense ministries.

A more complicated dispute involved attempts by forces within the Coordination Framework to create four deputy prime minister posts. Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq was among the leading proponents, with its leader, Qais al-Khazali, putting forward his brother Laith al-Khazali for one of the positions.

Reliable sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq had sought the post after formally agreeing to the plan to bring weapons under state control, but US objections blocked the appointment.

The sources described a “test of strength” between al-Zaidi and Coordination Framework forces because of the overlap between completing the Cabinet and the weapons issue. Scrapping the deputy prime minister posts, they said, opens the door to bargaining and forces all sides to recalculate the points assigned to ministries.

Observers believe efforts to complete the Cabinet began to falter as some political forces backed away from the weapons plan.

Al-Zaidi had made bringing arms under state control a key pillar of his government program. Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq and other factions later joined the proposed settlement in hopes of easing international pressure.

Sources said the Coordination Framework’s latest meeting exposed sharp divisions between leaders opposed to creating deputy PM posts and others insisting on them, preventing the coalition from issuing a statement afterward.

Al-Zaidi has held a series of meetings with Coordination Framework leaders in recent days in an effort to reach agreement on completing his Cabinet, particularly after his government marked its first 100 days.

Figures close to the prime minister’s office said he urged ruling coalition leaders to continue supporting the government in resolving outstanding issues, including bringing weapons under state control, combating corruption and filling Cabinet vacancies, regardless of disputes over deputy prime minister posts.

Under Iraq’s informal power-sharing system, ministries are distributed among election-winning political forces according to points based on each party’s number of parliamentary seats.

Legal and legislative affairs researcher Saif al-Saadi told Asharq Al-Awsat that scrapping the deputy PM posts would increase the value of the remaining portfolios, with sovereign ministries potentially worth 15 to 20 points and service ministries 10 to 12.

Al-Saadi expected two or three ministries to be filled, while the rest could remain under acting ministers because of domestic and external factors. He said the United States opposes militia-linked figures taking senior government posts, while competition among Shiite political forces is delaying agreement on candidates for the vacant portfolios.

Arab World

Washington Supports Deeper Security, Economic Cooperation with Algeria

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (Photo: The Presidency)
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (Photo: The Presidency)
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Washington Supports Deeper Security, Economic Cooperation with Algeria

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (Photo: The Presidency)
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (Photo: The Presidency)

Senior Adviser to the US President for Arab and African Affairs Massad Boulos has stressed that Washington “supports deeper security cooperation” with Algeria.

In a statement published by the US embassy in Algiers on its Facebook page, Boulos said he held a “productive call” with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune “to discuss the US-Algeria partnership.”

“The United States supports deeper security cooperation and expanding economic opportunities for US companies in Algeria, with our growing energy partnership paving the way for shared prosperity,” said Boulos.

He said he also expressed his condolences to the communities affected by Algeria’s recent wildfires.

Boulos held a productive meeting last April with Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf, aimed at deepening the trade and security partnership between the two countries.

They welcomed the progress achieved in discussions concerning Algeria’s unconventional gas resources and reviewed opportunities for American companies to support the country’s critical minerals sector.

The two parties also discussed ways to expand cooperation in counterterrorism and military collaboration as part of their shared goal of strengthening regional security. In addition, they addressed regional issues of mutual interest, particularly various conflicts and humanitarian crises.