OPINION:
The conflicts in Syria have increased the complexity of the Middle East situation and exacerbated the instability in the region. Terrorists have taken advantage of this instability and made dramatic territorial gains in Syria and Iraq. They now threaten two minorities: the Kurds and the Druze.
The Kurds are starting to receive military aid from the United States, and it should be increased since the Kurds are trustworthy and reliable fighters willing to take on the Islamic State and other terrorist groups. We should send equipment and supplies directly to the Kurds and not through the Iraqi army.
The Druze minority, a Muslim offshoot sect, is threatened by the Islamic State and al-Nusra. There are 800,000 Druze in Syria, most of them living in the southern province of Sweida, which is near the Israeli border.
Israel, home to 125,000 Druze who are deeply assimilated into the Israeli military and Israeli society, cannot allow the Druze of southern Syria to be decimated and possibly suffer genocide. Israel should provide a safe Syrian territory for the Druze and equip them so they can defend themselves. If necessary, Israel should provide direct military intervention to protect the Druze of southern Syria.
DONALD A. MOSKOWITZ
Londonderry, N.H.
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