Sweida fights at many fronts

(Reporting by Sarah Abdul Hai; Translation by Yusra Ahmed)

Abductions' news is the most prominent these days in Sweida province. The Western and Western North are the regions with highest incidence of abduction; most of them have financial blackmailing background.

Many attempts to exchange abductees take place, some successful, while others not, usually accompanied with fire exchange and deaths.

An area covers around 8 km2 between Dwerah and Harran villages called the “the Square of death” because of high numbers of abduction incidence and deaths.

The difficult question for all, the opposition before Syrian regime about responsibility for what have been happening in the area, while there is not direct clashes between Syrian regime’s security forces and the armed opposition in Dara’a.

People from al-Lajat's tribes announced a statement on 18-7-2014 condemning the abduction and denying any relation with this incidence, especially those against al-Mowahiddin from Druze. In their statement, they condemned abduction and considered them as a breach to customs and traditions besides destroying the long good neighborhood and mutual relationship based on peace and respect among people in the region. In the statement they mentioned their cooperation with the Free Syrian Army “FSA” to catch thieves and criminals.

In a relevant content, people from Sweida   city started to get angry and criticized the regime’s inability to defend people and stopping abduction and suspecting possible coordination between the regime and abductors.

Life in Sweida   has become more difficult, as cost of living has risen sharply with no prices’ monitoring, besides lack of public services like cutting water and electricity for more than 12 hours.

All that led people to demonstrate against the regime. This was supported even by pro-regime people who expressed their support to them and criticized the regime and immoral actions of the National Defense Army and community committees like theft and robbery.

Many clashes reported between many prominent figures in the city and regime’s forces. Sweida’s opposition goes through a political battle, refusing the low representation of the city in the Coalition and its local and military councils.