DAMASCUS: In an unprecedented turn of events, the Syrian landscape witnessed a series of rare protests against President Bashar al-Assad’s government, demonstrating the simmering discontent among citizens.
This wave of protests extended across various towns in Daraa and Sweida provinces, marking a significant display of public frustration.
The catalyst for these protests was the government’s decision to terminate fuel subsidies, a move that dealt a severe blow to a population already grappling with the aftermath of prolonged warfare and economic instability. The abrupt removal of fuel subsidies led to a collective outcry from Syrians who had endured years of conflict and financial hardship.
Bosra al-Sham, a town situated in the heart of Daraa province, emerged as a focal point for dissent. Here, numerous individuals took to the streets, overtly demanding an end to President Assad’s rule. As an onlooker described, “We have taken to the streets in Bosra al-Sham to reaffirm our commitment to the ideals of the Syrian revolution that brought us together in 2011,” stated activist Ahmad Mekdad during the protest.
Daraa province, historically significant as the birthplace of the 2011 uprising, witnessed some of the most intense clashes during the early years of the conflict. This latest wave of protests signifies the persistence of the desire for change that had ignited a decade earlier. Holding placards that bore slogans like “Leave! We want to live” and “Silence today means the tyrant continues,” the demonstrators made their intentions abundantly clear.
Mekdad emphasized, “Our quest for freedom, dignity, and a united Syria remains steadfast. These demands remain non-negotiable.”
In a coordinated effort, the Daraa Martyrs Documentation Office confirmed that similar protests had spread across eight other locations within the province. This widespread mobilization, drawing parallels to the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings, signifies a collective desire for change that transcends geographical boundaries.
Notably, Daraa province had returned to government control in 2018 under a Russia-brokered agreement with rebel factions. However, since then, the region has been plagued by insecurity, violence, and dire living conditions, prompting citizens to voice their grievances.
The neighbouring Sweida province also witnessed a surge of protest activity, with the provincial capital becoming the epicentre of the largest demonstration since the recent wave of unrest began. Demonstrators resurrected slogans reminiscent of the 2011 Arab Spring protests, underscoring their longing for change. Videos shared by the Suwayda24 news outlet captured slogans like “The people want the fall of the regime” and “Syria is ours and not the Assad family’s.”
Sweida, a region predominantly populated by the Druze minority, had been relatively shielded from the worst of the violence that engulfed much of Syria during the conflict. The Druze community’s unique arrangement with the government provided exemptions from military service outside Sweida in exchange for a degree of loyalty. However, the recent protests have demonstrated that the demand for change transcends sectarian lines and underscores a shared yearning for a better future.
While sporadic demonstrations over living conditions had taken place in Sweida before, this recent wave carries a distinct intensity and persistence. The events of December, in which clashes during a demonstration resulted in casualties, highlighted the region’s simmering discontent.
