Protests in southern Syria over the deteriorating economic and living conditions have escalated into anti-regime rallies, with demonstrators calling for the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad and clashing with security forces.
The protests, which began on August 22, have been concentrated in the province of Sweida, a predominantly Druze area that has largely remained neutral in the decade-long civil war. However, the unrest has also spread to neighboring Daraa province, where the 2011 uprising against Assad’s rule started.
According to local activists and media outlets, hundreds of protesters have taken to the streets of Sweida and Daraa in recent days, chanting slogans such as “Bashar out! Syria free!” and “The people want the fall of the regime”. They have also torn down portraits of Assad and his late father and predecessor, Hafez al-Assad, and set fire to vehicles and buildings belonging to the ruling Baath party and the security forces.
The protesters are angry with the Assad government over the soaring prices of basic goods, the chronic shortages of fuel and electricity, the collapse of the local currency, and the lack of public services and job opportunities. They also accuse the administration of corruption, repression, and neglect.
The regime has responded with a heavy-handed crackdown, deploying security forces and loyalist militias to disperse the protests with tear gas, live ammunition, and arrests. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group, at least two people have been killed and dozens injured in the clashes. The Observatory also reported that several protesters have been detained and tortured by the security forces.
Control Measures
The government has also tried to contain the protests by imposing a curfew, cutting off internet and phone services, and sending mediators to negotiate with local leaders and elders. However, these measures have failed to quell the discontent and resentment among the population.
The protests in southern Syria pose a challenge to Assad’s grip on power, as he faces mounting pressure from his allies, Russia and Iran, to end the war and start a political transition. The government also faces international isolation and sanctions that have crippled its economy and hampered its reconstruction efforts.
The protests also reflect the deep divisions and frustrations within the Druze community, a religious minority that accounts for about 3% of Syria’s population. The Druze have largely avoided taking sides in the conflict, fearing sectarian reprisals and hoping for autonomy. However, some Druze have joined the opposition or formed local militias to defend their areas from regime attacks or extremist groups.
The Druze have also been disillusioned with Assad’s policies and promises, especially after the 2015 assassination of Sheikh Wahid al-Balous, a prominent Druze leader who opposed the regime and advocated for self-rule. The government was widely blamed for his killing, which sparked massive protests in Sweida at the time.
The current protests in southern Syria are reminiscent of those in 2015, but they also signal a new phase of defiance and dissent against Assad’s rule. The protesters are not only demanding economic reforms and social justice, but also political change and freedom.
