Sweida, Syria – Demonstrations demanding the “right to self-determination” resumed in the Syrian province of Sweida on Saturday.
The demonstrators raised American and Israeli flags.
Local social media pages also broadcast recordings of what they said were demonstrations in Al-Sir Square in the center of Sweida. These were near the tomb of Sultan Pasha al-Atrash in the town of Al-Qarya. Additionally, there was another in the town of Shahba, demanding secession and “international protection.”
The demonstrators demanded “independence,” the release of detainees, and a rejection of reconciliation with the Syrian government.
Along with American and Israeli flags, the demonstrators raised pictures of the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Palestine, Muwaffaq Tarif.
These demonstrations come days after the Syrian Foreign Ministry announced the signing of a tripartite agreement with Jordan and the United States to address the Sweida crisis.
In addition to restoring security and stability to the governorate, and promoting national reconciliation.
The agreement included many of the items the governorate had been demanding.
Including conducting an international investigation into the violations that occurred during the military operation last July. The agreement also aims to hold those involved accountable.
In addition to expediting the release of detainees from all sides. Security and administrative arrangements are being made in cooperation between the local community and the government. This work is being done with Jordanian and American support.
Despite the widespread international acclaim for the agreement, the Supreme Legal Committee in Sweida, affiliated with Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajri, expressed its categorical rejection of the roadmap.
She considered that the people of Sweida “have the right to freely and independently determine their fate. Whether through self-administration or secession.”
It’s worth noting that Suleiman Abdul-Baqi, the security director in Sweida, recently revealed the reason for the delay in releasing the detainees. The delay is due to the refusal of some groups within Sweida to release their captives.
He stressed that negotiations are still ongoing with the aim of reaching a solution.
