Syria reported that the demonstrations demanded the government’s removal from the province and the opening of crossings. Observers described these steps as a “deliberate explosion of any previous calming attempts, an unusual scene in the Syrian arena.” According to observers, Saturday’s protests in Sweida did not occur suddenly but were the result of political and security accumulations. However, this time the demands “crossed red lines,” as the protesters not only called for reform or autonomy but extended their demands to “the right to self-determination” and explicit administrative and political independence, while raising the Israeli flag.
In response, the Syrian transitional president, Ahmed Al-Shara, affirmed “the Syrian society’s absolute rejection of any attempts to divide Syria,” describing those advocating for division as “ignorant and dreamer politicians,” as he put it. This statement was made during a dialogue session held by Al-Shara on Saturday evening, attended by several ministers, academics, politicians, and community leaders from Idlib province in northwestern Syria.
Al-Shara noted that “Syria fell in the liberation battle and is now facing the unification battle,” emphasizing that “the unity of Syrian territory and the exclusive control of weapons by the state are non-negotiable principles, which have received local, regional, and international approval,” according to the Syrian news agency SANA.
Al-Shara warned against “negative competition, greed for positions, political division, and role-seeking,” stressing that this affects the structure of society, especially as we are in the state-building phase which has different conditions,” he said. He pointed out that “some parties’ reliance on regional powers, like Israel, is difficult, especially since the southern region is densely populated and any enemy wanting to enter it will have to put a guard at every house, which is difficult in reality.”
The Syrian transitional government announced the formation of an investigation committee to look into violations “committed by armed groups and some government elements,” pledging to hold those responsible accountable and bring them to the competent judiciary immediately after the investigations are completed.
On July 19, a comprehensive and immediate ceasefire was announced in Sweida, calling on all parties, without exception, to “fully adhere to this decision and immediately stop all combat operations in all areas, ensure the protection of civilians, and secure the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid.”
