Anti-government protests continue in Syria’s Suwayda

By Omar Sharif

SUWAYDA, Syria (North Press) – Loubna al-Baset, or Lioness of Mountain, as residents of Suwayda Governorate, southern Syria, like to call her, began her discussion about Suwayda protests saying that the presence of “al-Assad regime” is an existential challenge for the Syrians who have lost their sense of belonging.

Al-Baset is a young graduate of the Faculty of Science, Physics Department, from the village of Maleh in the southern countryside of Suwayda. She is one of the participants in the Suwayda protests since their inception. She told North Press that the protestors determinate to continue peaceful demonstrations until their demands are met.

“The negative accumulations that the regime has imposed on the Syrian community in general and Suwayda in particular, in addition to losing the sense of belonging and hope have made the presence of al-Assad’s regime an existential challenge for the Syrians. This is what has pushed us to participate in the protests under the principle of either us or al-Assad’s regime”, al-Baset said.

The ongoing protests reflect a widespread aspiration among the Syrian youth for the comprehensive rebuilding of their country in urban, social, cultural, political, and economic domains. These demands arise from the unfortunate collapse of these aspects under the “regime’s practices”.

“Over the past decades, the regime has deliberately propagated ignorance and hindered progress, treating the Syrian people as prisoners, perpetrating violence and forced displacement, empowering criminal networks, and transforming southern Syria into a haven for drug trafficking. Furthermore, the regime has intensified divisions imposed on Syrian society,” she added.

The protests transcended beyond the city and extended into rural areas, further fueling the momentum of the movement in al-Karama Square throughout the week. The significant turnout, particularly on Fridays, showcases the magnitude of participation, with people from rural areas joining in large numbers, al-Baset emphasized.

She emphasized their commitment to the movement, stating, “We will not stop. We want to overthrow the regime and implement Resolution 2254. The international community has become unserious in its intentions to implement the resolution”.

She added that the movement is moving forward with steady steps to crystallize an advanced thought and enhance the existing positivity under the principle of a comprehensive revolution.

She pointed out that the regime claims protecting minorities but actually it uses them for its survival.

“What distinguishes the Suwayda movement is the participation of women who are leading the protests and giving a wonderful added value to the peaceful demonstrations through the chants, songs, and carrying olive branches”, she said.

Al-Baset added that the participation of women encouraged young people, religious figures, and intellectuals to demonstrate. Women are mothers and sisters, and their influence is significant on everyone. Through political awareness, we can say that women had a unifying vote in the protests. Women were influential in the continuity and development of the movement, as they renew the revolutionary situation that has been absent for a long time during the revolution. Women are partners in society and considered as a prominent part in the movement.

Looking for a homeland

Al-Baset insists that political reasons are the motivation for the protests, denying that bad living conditions are the cause.

“Security and decent life are important, and the regime does not provide these two elements. That is why we reject going back home”, she added.

“We will demonstrate at squares until we achieve our demands, which do not end with the overthrow of the al-Assad regime but go beyond to build a homeland. The post-al-Assad era cannot be predicted, and our movement will be based on the circumstances of each stage. What matters is that today we are looking for a homeland to build as we wish”, she said.