Israel launched strikes in Southern Syria and against Damascus as forces loyal to de-facto Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa attacked Druze, Christian and Alawite minorities (Time). More than 350 people are reported to have been killed since Sunday, when clashes between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes erupted in Suweida, They include 79 Druze fighters and 55 civilians, 27 of whom were summarily killed by interior ministry and defence ministry forces, according to the group (BBC).

Since the almost too damn easy ouster of Bashar al-Assad, Syrian forces and loyal militias have been targeting minorities. US President for Life hopeful Donald Trump thinks Ahmed al-Sharaa is a “young atractive guy” (NDTV) and has moved to normalize relations with him; removing sanctions and trade barriers. Druze leader Hikmat al-Hiriji has called upon Trump and Middle Eastern leaders to stop the new governments attacks against his people.

The Druze are a monotheistic sect based on an obscure form of Shia Islam that believe in reincarnation. The Alawites are also based on Shia Islam (Twelvers) who believe in reincarnation. Syriac Christianity is a branch of Eastern Christianity of which theological writings are expressed in the Classical Syriac language, a variation of the old Aramaic language. Jesus spoke Aramaic.

• Who are the Druze and why is Israel bombing Syria to protect them? CNN
• Israel Bombs Damascus, Warns Syria of ‘Painful Blows’ as Footage Shows Hit on Defense Ministry Time
• The Spiritual Leader Of The Syrian Druze, Hikmat Al-Hijri, Calls On Trump, Netanyahu, Bin Salman And Abdullah II To Save The Druze Of The Al-Suwayda Governorate From The Syrian Government MEMRI
• In pictures: Thousands mourn Syrian Druze killed in Majdal Shams attack MiddleEastEye
• Druze Britannica
• Alawites Britannica
• Syriac Christianity Wikipedia
• The Syriac World, In Search of a Forgotten Christianity AINA