Thousands of Syrians protested in Sweida, the largest demonstration in nearly a month of escalating anti-government protests, dealing a significant blow to a nation already burdened by war and economic challenges.
Thousands of Syrians protested Friday in the southern city of Sweida, the largest in nearly a month of anti-government demonstrations that have intensified despite one incidence of violence, activists said.
Peaceful protests in Sweida province, the heartland of the country’s Druze minority, began last month after President Bashar al-Assad’s government ended fuel subsidies.
The move dealt a heavy blow to Syrians reeling from war and economic woes.
It was “the biggest demonstration yet,” a protester said.
The demonstration took place days after three protesters were wounded by gunfire while trying to weld shut a branch of the ruling Baath party.
Activists blamed party members guarding the building for the violence.
Sealings of the party’s offices have become a common act of defiance by protesters in recent weeks.
On Thursday, the US embassy to Syria, which is based outside the country, said it was “concerned about reports of the regime’s use of violence to suppress protests” in Sweida.
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.
Syrian security services have a limited presence in Sweida, and Damascus has turned a blind eye to Druze men refusing to undertake compulsory military service.
Katrine Dige Houmøller, with AFP
