Israel began secretly supplying weapons and support to Syrian Druze militias just days after the ouster of President Bashar al‑Assad in December 2024, according to a Washington Post investigation citing multiple officials and militia leaders. The operation highlights Israel’s strategic efforts to protect its borders and influence developments in southern Syria amid the country’s ongoing instability.
The first airdrop, conducted on December 17, 2024, delivered around 500 rifles, ammunition, and body armor to the newly formed Suweida Military Council, a Druze militia based in southern Syria’s Sweida province. Subsequent shipments reportedly included heavier weaponry, much of it captured from Hezbollah and Hamas in previous conflicts, along with sniper rifles, night-vision equipment, and other defensive gear.
In addition to material support, Israel has reportedly provided monthly stipends ranging from $100 to $200 to approximately 3,000 Druze fighters. Funds and equipment were initially routed through the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), who also offered training and tactical support to the Druze militias.
Israeli officials view the Druze in southern Syria as a potential ally, citing historical and cultural ties with Israel’s own Druze population. The support is framed as a defensive measure to prevent hostile factions from gaining influence near Israel’s border and to stabilize local communities.
The covert aid has intensified regional tensions. Damascus views the support as interference in Syrian affairs, while the militarization of Druze groups has exacerbated sectarian clashes in Sweida and surrounding areas. UN reports indicate substantial civilian casualties and displacement amid ongoing conflict.
Although Israel reportedly scaled back some weapons transfers in 2025 to avoid deeper entanglement, financial and defensive support continues. Analysts warn that arming local militias could further complicate Syria’s fragile security landscape, risking escalation between multiple actors with competing interests in the region.
