Thousands gather in southern Syria despite violence

SWEIDA, Syria – Thousands of people protested in the southern Syrian city of Sweida against Bashar al-Assad regime. 

It was the largest demonstration in nearly a month, with anti-government demonstrations intensifying despite the violence. The protests began last month after government cut fuel subsidies.

The demonstration took place after three protesters were wounded by gunfire near the ruling Baath party office. They were attempting to seal the building.

Activists blamed ruling party members guarding their office building for the violence.

The sealing of party offices has become a frequent act of defiance by demonstrators in recent weeks.

Protesters chanted, “Syria wants freedom” and “Go away, Bashar, enemy of humanity.”

Rayan Maarouf of Suwayda24, an outlet run by citizen journalists, said the violence has “only increased people’s determination”.

Smaller, sporadic protests have taken place in neighboring Daraa province, the cradle of Syria’s 2011 uprising, which Assad bloodily suppressed.

The Druze, who follow an offshoot of Shiite Islam, made up less than three percent of Syria’s pre-war population. They have largely kept out of the conflict.

Sweida has been mostly spared from the fighting, and has faced only a few jihadist attacks, which were repelled. Protests against deteriorating economic conditions have erupted sporadically in the province since 2020.

The war in Syria has killed more than 500,000 people and displaced millions.