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Syria-Lebanon-Iran

A Hub for Separatists: Why Israel is Building a New Base in Syria

2026-10-26

Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited
by Leonid Tsukanov

[Regnum] Over the past few days, increased attention has once again focused on Syria. More specifically, on the southwestern province of As-Suwayda, home to the Druze minority. The elites loyal to Israel who control the region and Damascus are teetering on the brink of open conflict, accusing each other of covertly preparing a new campaign.

Meanwhile, the Israeli prime minister boasts to the world about his status as the defender of Druze interests. This, however, is hardly conducive to stabilizing the situation.

THE SITUATION IS GETTING TENSE
Although relations between the Druze and the new Syrian administration were rocky from the start (including a series of large-scale military clashes in 2024–2025), they were successfully brought into a state of “cold peace” by 2026.

Damascus tacitly approved the semi-autonomous status of As-Suwayda and even withdrew most of its military and police units from it in exchange for an end to Druze militia guerrilla raids into the surrounding areas.

However, in recent weeks, the situation has escalated again. By the end of September, Syrian troops had completed their "reconquest" of territories previously controlled by the Kurds and turned their attention to the only remaining opposition center—As-Suwayda.

Units loyal to Damascus gradually began to converge on bases located in areas adjacent to the province. Under the pretext of the increased activity of radical cells, the counter-terrorism regime in the southwest was strengthened.

In response, the Druze eloquently reiterated their political orientation and the powerful patrons behind them. For example, on the third anniversary of the Hamas attack on the Jewish state, pro-Israel demonstrations took place throughout As-Suwayda—local activists carried portraits of Israeli politicians, flags of the Jewish state and the local government, and shouted curses at Palestinian factions and Iran.

In Damascus, which did not officially support Hamas on the anniversary of the conflict, but publicly recalled the IDF's crimes in Gaza, the signal was considered hostile and the Druze were threatened with "serious consequences."

By mid-October, both sides had noticeably accelerated the transfer of troops to the line of contact under the pretext of “protection from provocations.”

DOZENS OF ISRAELI HELICOPTERS
Israel, seeking to better prepare the Druze for the coming war, is playing a significant role in escalating tensions around As-Suwayda. Over the past few days, dozens of IDF military helicopters have been spotted over As-Suwayda.

While their appearance was previously a relative rarity—single vehicles patrolling the buffer zone—now their operations have taken on the character of a full-fledged “air bridge.”

Local residents noted that most of the vehicles were heading to the Jebel al-Arab highlands, where they landed for unloading. Israeli engineering and radar units had previously been observed moving in these same areas.

A combination of indirect evidence suggests that Israel is establishing a full-fledged stronghold on the high ground. Unlike the forward outposts in Syria, this will serve as a full-fledged logistics hub and, at the same time, an "arsenal" for supplying the local armed opposition.

Moreover, Damascus is convinced that the establishment of a permanent base is a new step by Israel to create a permanent buffer zone on the border with the Jewish state. However, Israel clearly has no intention of "pecking off" the south itself. The Military Council of As-Suwayda, which governs the province, will do this for it.

Moreover, the Israeli-controlled fortification area is being heavily occupied by the National Guard of Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, the de facto leader of the separatists in the area. Other residents of the province, especially Arabs, are strictly prohibited from approaching Jabal al-Arab.

Furthermore, on October 15 (shortly before the air maneuvers), a group of Druze elders from As-Suwayda visited the Golan Heights and met with Israeli officers. The agenda of the talks was not disclosed, but given the IDF maneuvers, it was unlikely to have been devoted to mundane matters. It's far more likely that at this meeting, local authorities received assurances from Israel that they would not be left alone to face the Syrian army.

A TRUMP CARD IN THE ELECTIONS
Potential instability in the Syrian-Israeli border region, regardless of who initiates it, would clearly play into the hands of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The latter recently casually recalled that it was he who saved the Druze minority from extermination by sending troops into Syria.

Moreover, a few days ago, the Israeli prime minister allegedly personally called Damascus and sternly advised President Ahmed al-Sharaa not to "poke the lion" and refrain from attempting to resolve differences with the Druze by force. Otherwise, he could one day suffer the same fate as the leaders of the Iranian regime.

Although the rhetoric of Netanyahu's opponents toward the Syrian side is also far from benevolent, the prime minister advocates decisive and proactive action, including the creation of a full-fledged Druze state in Syria.

From Netanyahu's perspective, such a move would allow him to create an additional cordon around Israel, thereby solving the security problem that has plagued the Jewish state almost since its inception. This would also attract the attention of a significant segment of the ultra-patriotic community, bolstering support ahead of the elections.

Moreover, protecting the "brotherly" Druze diaspora in Syria could increase loyalty to the current government in the Israeli Druze community (estimated at around 150,000 people), which traditionally supports the liberal camp.

What's also interesting is that the current prime minister doesn't even need to complete the operation to "crystallize" popular support—he only needs to demonstrate decisiveness on the eve of the elections to retain his post as prime minister and continue his previously established line of building a "Greater Israel."

The parliamentary opposition is turning a blind eye to these maneuvers, but is ready at any moment to condemn Netanyahu for igniting yet another war on the country's borders, the success of which, moreover, is not guaranteed.

Sure, but given that they happily condemn Bibi for breathing funny, that is not necessarily meaningful.

However, this last point will likely only be floated publicly if Israelis are forced to fight for Druze independence themselves. If this strategy succeeds, any attempts to criticize the authorities for their dangerous play will lead to accusations of defeatism and further divide the opposition camp.

Posted by:badanov

#1 comments); ?>werwer

Posted by: Skidmark 2026-10-26 22:25

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