Demonstrations continued in the southern Syrian province of Sweida in their fifth week, and the center of the province witnessed night vigils on Thursday after daytime protests ahead of mass demonstrations expected on Friday. Protesters in the town of Qanat removed a large portrait of the late former President Hafez al-Assad, the father of current President Bashar al-Assad, whose departure is demanded by demonstrators.
In Karama Square in the center of the city of Suwayda – yesterday evening – candles were lit with dozens flocking in an evening pause, amid preparations for a mass demonstration expected – on Friday – in the square, which witnessed in the daytime new demonstrations demanding political change within the framework of the vigils that have been taking place for about a month.
Activists said that Al-Karama Square was decorated with candles to commemorate those killed by the Syrian regime since the outbreak of the revolution in March 2011, the most famous of which are Naji Al-Jarf, Bassel Shehadeh, Ghiath Matar and Rami Al-Hanawi. and the names of dozens of Syrian activists.
Urgent: Removing a large picture of Hafez al-Assad from the entrance to the town of Qanawat in the countryside of #السويداء, and a picture of a pigeon symbolizing peace will be hung in its place, and a second picture of the leader of the Great Syrian Revolution, Sultan Pasha al-Atrash, tomorrow, Friday, just before the people of Qanawat set off to the demonstration of Al-Karama Square in Suwayda.... pic.twitter.com/xmCCpoMJld
— As-Suwayda 24 (@suwayda24) September 21, 2023
At the entrance to the town of Qanawat in the countryside of Suwayda, activists and local media broadcast videos and photos of protesters yesterday evening removing a large picture of the late President Hafez al-Assad (father of Bashar al-Assad) from the entrance to the town channels.
Protesters hung a picture of a pigeon symbolizing peace in place of the image of Assad the father, and a second picture of the leader of the Great Syrian Revolution, Sultan Pasha al-Atrash, before the people of Qanawat set off for the demonstration in Dignity Square in Sweida scheduled for Friday.
The town of Walga in the western countryside of Sweida also witnessed a night demonstration on Thursday evening.
Naji Al-Jarf, Bassel Shehadeh, Ghiath Matar, Rami Al-Hanawi. And the names of dozens of Syrian martyrs, decorated Karama Square in the center of Sweida with candles to commemorate them, during an evening demonstration on Thursday, calling for political change and seeking salvation for all Syrians dreaming of a free and dignified homeland.#مظاهرات_السويداء pic.twitter.com/0MfCsTSqp6
— As-Suwayda 24 (@suwayda24) September 21, 2023
For four weeks, the city of Sweida witnessed demonstrations protesting the deteriorating economic conditions and demanding political change, and the implementation of UN Resolution 4.
The protests began following the Syrian regime's decision in mid-August to lift fuel subsidies, amid an economic crisis choking Syrians after more than 12 years of devastating conflict.
The protests began in the southern provinces of Daraa and Sweida, but momentum has continued in the predominantly Druze Sweida, which has for years seen sporadic movements against poor living conditions.
The intensity of the protests decreases during the week due to citizens' preoccupation with their work and saving transportation costs, according to activists, but their momentum increases on Fridays, reminiscent of the unprecedented protests that Syria witnessed in 2011, before turning into a bloody conflict that continues to this day after the regime suppressed demonstrations demanding his departure.