By Ihsan Muhammad/Razan Zeinaddin
SUWAYDA/DARAA, Syria (North Press) – The popular demonstrations that spread across Daraa and Suwayda in southern Syria quickly turned into anti-government protests, expressing a rejection of the current situation. This was manifested through civil disobedience, roadblocks, the shutdown of government institutions, and near-total closures in Suwayda, as well as similar strikes in the neighboring city of Daraa.
Amid suggestions about the escalating frequency of strikes and demonstrations, accompanied by governmental silence, residents fear a potential violent reaction and a return to violence by the Syrian government. However, observers believe that the protests in southern Syria coincide with political changes that will enable the southern population to voice their concerns, fulfill their demands, and attain a political resolution.
Reality of protests
According to Muhannad Shehab al-Din, a political activist, the recent protests that have swept Suwayda are due to “the dire economic and political situation caused by the policies of despotism, systematic repression, and the dominance of security apparatuses, with the ruling authority showing no concern for the demands of citizens and their right to a decent life.”
In an interview with North Press, Shehab al-Din expressed his beliefs that the protests will intensify and go flat-out day by day because a decision has been made that the determination will not waver until the demands, which will be outlined in a public statement in Suwayda within the next two days, are met.
For years, protests have taken place in Suwayda against the oppressive ruling regime. “It all started with protests denounced the difficult living conditions, but soon turned into anti-government protests demanding the complete overthrow of the ruling government.”
Significant turning point
Youssef Saliqa, a political analyst from Suwayda, states that this movement is different due to its high-level political slogans that go beyond mere demands and livelihood issues, and the deteriorating living and economic conditions of the people, which are the main driving force behind these protests.
In an interview with North Press, Saliqa believes that these protests “mark a significant turning point in the governorate’s movement, with numerous positive implications that effectively contribute to the desired political change in Syria, which will undoubtedly lead to improving the difficult living conditions.”
He also notes that the protesters’ disregard for economic demands in their slogans is a clear indication that they attribute their hardships to the political oppression, tyranny, and exploitation of the country’s resources by the ruling authority.
He believes that this popular awareness is a clear indication that the people have identified the reasons and causes of their poverty, and they are no longer deceived by the false narratives propagated by the regime’s media, these narratives falsely claim that external conspiracies or blockades are responsible for the difficult circumstances they face.
Political implications
According to the analyst, the simultaneous protests in Daraa and Suwayda have a unified political objective, which is to liberate themselves from the dictatorship and work towards building the Syria they aspire to through the cooperation and unity of the southern areas, urging all governorates to support this cause with a unified heart.
He believes that each affirmation and the people’s return to demanding their rights through these protests will limit an international intervention and morally oblige it to adopt the legitimate demands and aspirations of the people in building their desired state.
“It is not new for Daraa to witness popular movements, as strikes and protests persist despite the government’s control and tightened security measures that restrict the population,” Saliqa noted.
According to journalist and researcher Husam al-Baram, who resides in France, the strike in Daraa today carries a political meaning or has its own symbolic importance. It was initiated to show solidarity with the ongoing peaceful movement in Suwayda.
Al-Baram emphasized that these strikes and protests should evolve into a demonstration that covers the entire governorate, including Quneitra, without excluding any area. This way, the peaceful movement extends from Quneitra to Daraa and then to Suwayda.
He expressed his belief that if the peaceful movement continues, there will be significant political consequences, including a considerable number of defections from the Syrian government, as its supporters are not in a better situation than its opponents.
He stressed that if this movement continues and expands, it may potentially lead to a comprehensive solution by compelling Assad to step down and create new balances that would be shaped on the political landscape.
An activist participated in the peaceful demonstration in Daraa, who preferred not to be named for security reasons, said the peaceful movement in Daraa is gaining momentum and spreading to new villages and towns.
He added that the protesters are demanding the overthrow of the “Assad regime”, which has been responsible for the decline of the economic and living conditions in Syria.
The activist added that the security officers have been contacting influential figures in certain towns to try to thwart the strike and prevent protests, but their efforts have not been fruitful. The activist does not rule out the possibility of spreading the strikes and peaceful protests to other governorates, especially in the coastal regions of Syria and Rif Dimash