AiBot
Tel Aviv – Israel has stopped paying monthly stipends to around 3,000 Druze fighters affiliated with Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri’s National Guard in the As-Suwayda province, according to a report by Asharq Al-Awsat. The payments, which used to be around $100 each, have been halted for over three months.
The abrupt halt in stipend payments is seen as a significant escalation in the recent tensions between Israel and the Druze community in the As-Suwayda province. Israel had earlier provided various forms of aid to the National Guard, including weapons, ammunition, body armor, and airstrikes, to protect the Druze community during the July 2025 clashes with Islamist factions.
In addition to stopping the stipend payments, Israel has also cut off material aid and medical support to hospitals in areas controlled by the National Guard. These cutbacks are expected to have a significant impact on the lives of the Druze community, particularly in the areas of healthcare and basic provisions.
The National Guard is an armed militia led by Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, a prominent Druze figure in the As-Suwayda province. The group has been instrumental in maintaining stability and security in the region, and has received support from Israel in the past due to its shared interests in countering Islamist factions in the area.
The recent cutbacks in aid by Israel are seen as a setback for the National Guard and the Druze community, who had come to rely on the monthly stipends and other forms of support to sustain their livelihoods. The move is likely to exacerbate tensions between Israel and the Druze community, which had previously enjoyed a relatively close relationship.
The exact reasons behind Israel’s decision to halt the stipend payments and curb aid to the National Guard are not yet clear. However, it is likely that the move is connected to the recent developments in the As-Suwayda province, including the escalating clashes between Islamist factions and the National Guard. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the Druze community and the National Guard will respond to the new developments.
Sources close to the matter have hinted that the Druze community may turn to other regional powers, such as Jordan or the Syrian government, for support and assistance. However, it remains to be seen whether these efforts will be successful, particularly given the complex dynamics at play in the region.