Local militia rejects government-affiliated groups in Syria’s Suwayda
SUWAYDA, Syria (North Press) – On Sunday, Sheikh Laith al-Balous, the son of Sheikh Wahid al-Balous and the founder of Men of Dignity Movement, expressedto a Russian delegation his rejection of the presence of government security services in Suwayda Governorate, southern Syria.
This came within a list of demands presented by al-Balous to the Russian delegation that visited the town of al-Mazra’a, in the western countryside of Suwayda.
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.
After finding documents in government security services’ headquarters, proving the involvement of Military Security Branch and State Security branch in kidnapping, looting and drugs trafficking, al-Balous considered the abovementioned parties as an “enemy.”
The list of demands also included the refusal of recruiting the young men of Suwayda to enroll in compulsory service of government forces, stressing that their service is limited to the governorate.
Al-Balous tightly rejected any Iranian presence in the governorate and called for the expulsion of armed groups affiliated with Hezbollah and Iran.
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.
Additionally, al-Balous stressed on the necessity of releasing detainees from Suwayda held by government authorities, rejected the systematic policy of displacement that the government authorities follow, and demanded to allow international aid to reach Suwayda and open safe roads far from the authorities’ hands.
The list of demands also included to “allow to practice any peaceful political activity in the governorate, even if it is opposing the government.”
Suwayda witnesses a state of anticipation after the expulsion of the groups affiliated with the government forces from the governorate, amid calls to continue pursuing all those involved, and rejecting the policy adopted by the authorities against the residents of As-Suwayda.