Protest movements renewed on Sunday in the southern Sweida province as residents of the Druze community stronghold demanded the departure of Bashar al-Assad, the right to live in dignity, freedom and justice.
Hundreds of demonstrators came on Sunday from most of the towns and villages of Sweida to gather in Karama Square, where the demands made by the crowds were repeated for more than two weeks and did not change, including the implementation of UN Resolution 2254 (2015), which leads to a transitional political phase and the protection of all Syrian citizens,said Zaman al-Wasl correspondent.
The demonstrators stressed that the demonstrations would continue until the regime departs and allow the people to democratically choose a leadership keen to advance the country.
The demonstrators chanted the famous slogans of the 2011 revolution, such as: “Step down Bashar, we want to live in dignity, The people want to overthrow the regime. Syria is for us, not for the Assad family.” They also chanted for the revolting cities and towns and demanded the release of detainees.
Sweida, a city of over 100,000 people, has seen most public institutions shut and public transport on strike and businesses partially open, residents and civic activists said.
The city has remained in government hands during the conflict and its Druze minority has long resisted being drawn into a civil war that pits mainly rebels drawn from Syria's majority Sunni population against Assad’s rule.
Syria is in the throes of a deep economic crisis that saw its currency collapse, leading to soaring prices for food and basic supplies and which Assad's government blames on Western sanctions.
Protests in Sweida fuel officials' concern they could spread to the Mediterranean coastal areas, strongholds of Assad's minority Alawite sect and where there have been recently rare calls by activists for a strike, security sources and diplomats told Reuters.
Comments About This Article
Please fill the fields below.