SDC expresses solidarity with popular movement in Syria’s Suwayda
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) expressed on Saturday its solidarity with popular movement in Suwayda Governorate, southern Syria, and stressed that all Syrian communities have the right of self-management.
The SDC issued a statement in which it praised the ongoing protests in Suwayda to get their demands.
The SDC is the political wing of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Autonomous Administration of North in East Syria (AANES). It was founded in 2015 and includes all the communities of north and east Syria.
The AANES was first formed in 2014 in the Kurdish-majority regions of Afrin, Kobani and Jazira in northern Syria following the withdrawal of the government forces. Later, it was expanded to Manbij, Tabqa, Raqqa, Hasakah and Deir ez-Zor after the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) defeated ISIS militarily.
On July 23, Suwayda witnessed a state of unrest, that lasted for more than a week, amid continuous protests against violations by armed groups affiliated with the government’s Military Intelligence, which developed into armed clashes that led to the expulsion of the groups from the governorate.
It stressed on the necessity of the participation of spiritual leaders, national opposition and the Men of Dignity in the movement, as they should face the policies of the opponents of democratic change to ensure that the movement does not deviate from its goals.
The Men of Dignity is a self-defense militia established after the outbreak of the Syrian war to defend the Suwayda area. Described as a terror organization by Russia, it took an initial position against the Syrian government in the early days of the war but did not engage in any armed struggle with government forces.
“What is happening in Suwayda is a “justified refusal movement” and it is a response to the aggravation of the catastrophic conditions that afflict the majority of Syrians,” the statement read.
“We support our people in Suwayda and their just demands that preserve the unity of the country and protect the sovereignty of its communities and their legitimate right of self-management that achieves Syrian affiliation and a comprehensive national identity towards a democratic decentralized Syria,” the SDC added.
The statement pointed out that any movement in areas run by the government paves the way for similar movements in other areas, which helps to change policies and bring down central tyranny.
The SDC urged Suwayda’s people to continue the movement, until the goals of neutralizing security services and preventing them from interfering in the people’s lives and continuing their repressive methods are achieved.
It also called for organizing the management of life and resources, as a way to success, and to confirm the unity of the people who should gather behind local representatives represented by revolutionaries and defenders of their people and their country.