The Druze community in Syria's Idlib province is reeling after a targeted shooting killed three members near the village of Kafr Maris. Unidentified gunmen on motorcycles opened fire on a van carrying two women and a man, sparking fear and grief among the already vulnerable minority. The attack comes amid rising sectarian tensions and follows previous violence against Druze communities elsewhere in Syria, including deadly clashes and accusations of collaboration with rival factions.

Local leaders and residents have called for increased protection, citing recent incidents of intimidation and robbery that have left many afraid to tend their land. Authorities say they are boosting security measures and investigating the shooting, which many believe was intended to intimidate and drive out the Druze population. The incident has revived painful memories of past attacks and underscored the fragile coexistence among Syria's diverse communities in the aftermath of years of conflict.