USCIRF Condemns Violence against Syria’s Druze Community 

Washington, D.C. – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemns this week’s outbreak of violence against Syria’s Druze community, the latest in a series of deadly attacks this year by forces loyal to or directly affiliated with the country’s transitional authorities. 

"This latest attack in Suweida is a clear indication that the transitional authorities are failing to rein in violent extremist groups and protect the diverse Syrian populations they claim to represent,” said Commissioner Maureen Ferguson. “The United States should not accept at face value the transitional authorities’ promises of religious and ethnic inclusivity. Our government must condition further assistance to Syria on those authorities taking specific steps to demonstrate significant improvement.” 

In December 2024, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)—a U.S.-designated Entity of Particular Concern for its religious freedom violations—led a militant coalition in toppling the Assad regime and establishing a transitional administration. In the seven months since, extremist militias connected to the transitional authorities have repeatedly targeted religious communities with executions, arson, looting, and kidnapping. The latest violence in Suweida followed previous massacres of Druze and related clashes near Damascus in April and May.

Commissioner Mohamed Elsanousi stated: “These recent outbreaks of severe violence throughout Syria are disproportionately affecting Syria’s religious minority communities, including Druze, Alawis, Christians and others. The U.S. government must demand protection for all religious communities in its dialogue with the transitional authorities. Furthermore, it must observe meaningful progress toward providing such protection prior to lifting sanctions.” 

Earlier this month, USCIRF’s Syria Policy Update renewed recommendations for the U.S. government to pressure Syria’s interim authorities to demonstrate their claimed commitment to protecting religious communities. In its 2025 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State name Syria to the Special Watch List for state violators of severe abuses of religious freedom, pursuant to the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA). 
 

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan legislative branch agency established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress, intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected].

China has been described as the “most prolific,” “sophisticated, far-reaching, and comprehensive” perpetrator of transnational repression in the world. It has targeted many religious communities in diaspora, including Uyghur Muslims, Protestant Christians, Tibetan Buddhists, Falun Gong practitioners, and members of the Church of Almighty God. Specific transnational repression tactics used by the Chinese government include stalking, harassment, intimidation or threats, assault, kidnapping, forcing or coercing the victim to return to China, and threatening or detaining family members in China. In its 2025 annual report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State designate China as a Country of Particular Concern. 

On today’s episode of the USCIRF Spotlight Podcast, USCIRF Chair Vicky Hartzler joins Supervisory Policy Advisor Mingzhi Chen to discuss the impact of China’s transnational repression on religious freedom. 

Read USCIRF’s 2025 Annual Report Chapter on China and USCIRF’s most recent factsheet on Sinicization of Religion: China’s Coercive Religious Policy.