Laith al-Balous

Laith al-Balous (1996 or 1997^[1] – present) is a Syrian Druze leader.

Laith al-Balous
Birth name	Laith al-Balous
Born	1996 or 1997[1] Syria
Movement	Paramilitary
Conflict	Syrian civil war

He and his brother, Fahd, were initially part of the Druze militia Men of Dignity headed by their father, Wahid al-Balous, though they were forced out following his assassination in 2015. The two brothers formed the Sheikh al-Karama Forces, and are now part of a separate organization, called the Guest House of Dignity.

Life

Laith and Fahd are sons of Wahid al-Balous, the assassinated founder of the Druze militia Men of Dignity. Laith was expelled from the militia not long after the assassination.^[2] They formed the Sheikh al-Karama Forces,^[3] and Laith briefly affiliated with the Anti-Terrorism Force^[2] though he and Fahd now operate Guest House of Dignity, which was formerly the "operations and administrative center" for Men of Dignity. Laith was sharply critical of the leadership of the Men of Dignity.^[2]

He was injured in the 2015 assassination of his father as was his brother, Fahd, and his uncle, Raf'at.^[4] Laith has shrapnel from the bomb blast in his shoulder.^[5]

Laith survived multiple assassination attempts on his own life. One attempt took place on 13 May 2023 in Al-Mazraa, where he was shot in the left thigh after being targeted by gunmen who were on a motorcycle^[6] while another happened on 1 May 2025 in Shahba.^[7]

He has pursued close ties with the al-Sharaa administration.^[8]