Syria Taps Druze Activist Mozna Alatrash as Peace Adviser Amid Regional Tensions

Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani has appointed Mozna Alatrash, a prominent Druze activist and media personality, as an adviser for peace affairs. This appointment, drawing from the Druze minority, signals an effort to integrate the sect amidst ongoing tensions with the central Syrian government. Ms. Alatrash hails from a well-known Druze family in Sweida, the traditional heartland of the Druze community in southern Syria.

The announcement, made on Monday by the state news agency Sana, emphasized Ms. Alatrash's extensive background in civil society, humanitarian initiatives, and media work. She has previously worked as a journalist and television presenter, hosting talk shows focused on social issues. Born in 1987, Ms. Alatrash is a descendant of Sultan Pasha Alatrash, a significant Druze leader who led an uprising against French colonial rule in the 1920s, an event still remembered as a pivotal moment in Druze and Syrian history.

Her family has a notable presence in arts and culture, with her father, Mamdouh Alatrash, being a recognized Syrian actor and director in musical theatre. Her sister, Marwa Alatrash, has appeared in television series such as 'Layl Wa Rijal' and 'Al Kherba,' while her cousin, Lilia Alatrash, gained popularity for her role in the widely acclaimed Arab series 'Bab Al Hara.'

Beyond her media career, Ms. Alatrash has been actively involved in civil society. She is a member of the Syrian Women’s Advisory Board to the UN and serves as the chair of the Al Muzn Organisation for Development, Awareness and Giving. Notably, Ms. Alatrash has previously voiced criticism of the Syrian government she now advises. During protests in December, she expressed concern over the suppression of peaceful demonstrations and drew parallels between the current government and the Bashar Al Assad regime that was overthrown.

This appointment occurs as Syria navigates the complex aftermath of over a decade of conflict and focuses on reconstruction and recovery. Sweida province, Ms. Alatrash's home region, holds particular strategic importance. As one of the few areas not under the direct authority of President Ahmad Al Shara, it has seen significant Israeli military involvement aimed at maintaining local control. Reports indicate Syria deployed additional troops to Sweida last month in response to Israeli military activities that could suggest an intention to establish a base in the region.

The southern province has also been a site of intense conflict since the fall of the Al Assad regime in 2024. Clashes involving government forces, Druze militias, and Bedouin fighters have exacerbated existing mistrust between the Druze community and the national leadership.