The economic crisis is also seriously affecting the Druze, despite them not being under siege like their counterparts in Suwayda, and this has sparked criticism of the Syrian Transitional Government for failing to prevent the Israeli occupation of the territory and for abandoning its inhabitants – criticism that stems from the same roots as that voiced by the Arab population of Quneitra and Daraa. Furthermore, these images also appear to confirm that the Druze have begun to collaborate with the Syrian resistance (IRFS) in their struggle against the Israeli occupation, which extends across much of their land. In truth, collaboration between the resistance and the Druze is nothing new. In July 2025, the IRSF took part in the defence of Suwayda against the terrorist invasion and, in the months since then, has continued its activities in Suwayda itself in an attempt to reduce al-Hijri’s influence over the Druze militias (there is, in fact, a covert struggle between nationalist Druze and pro-independence Druze). Despite this, the incorporation of Western Druze into the resistance (abandoned by the authorities and under continuous foreign occupation) is likely to be less costly than that of the Eastern Druze, who are more likely to reject any attempt at rapprochement with Damascus, particularly following the massacres of July 2025. It would also be an achievement to bring on board the Druze of the occupied Golan Heights, who were historically in favour of ending the Israeli occupation of this territory until the change of the Syrian political regime. The question is how the STG will react and how this will affect the already fragile relationship between it and the Druze, particularly if operations are carried out in collaboration with Tel Aviv to dismantle resistance cells, as happened in Quneitra and Daraa in recent months. Losing the ‘support’ – or rather, the silence – of the Western Druze will further undermine the transitional government’s attempt to control Syria’s southern border, whilst Israel continues to arm the pro-independence Druze of al-Hijri and prepares for a future major campaign in Syria, and whilst the resistance continues to gain supporters amongst those who once backed the Syrian rebels.