SYRIA Members of the Druze community killed a Syrian government soldier and celebrated by stomping on his corpse. Their motive remains unclear, as the Druze were generally neutral during the Syrian civil war, with some even joining the government army. However, occasional retaliation has occurred – such as when the military attempted to forcibly conscript young Druze men.
The Druze in Syria form a sizable religious minority and primarily live in the Jabal al-Druze region. Their faith has roots in Shia Islam but has since evolved into a distinct religion. They are known for strong communal loyalty and effective military organization.