BÊRÎTAN SARYA 

News Center- On 17 August 2023, peaceful protests erupted in the Druze majority city of Sweida over the high inflation rate and deteriorating economic situation in Syria. The protests have entered their third week. 

Last week, protesters shut the ruling Baath party headquarters and government organizations in the city. In addition, the Syrian government withdrew its forces at some military posts but there are still soldiers at some posts between the airport and villages. 

Although the Syrian government has refrained from intervening in the protests until now, the women of Sweida think that the government may have a secret and dirty plan because the government authorities try to intimidate the people of Sweida by threatening them on social media platforms. 

NuJINHA spoke to women activists, who have been participating in the peaceful protests since the first day. In their speeches, they said that they saw the revolution led by women in North and East Syria as a role model and greeted the resisting women of North and East Syria. 

‘We demand our stolen rights and freedom’ 

Raqiya El Şaêr, one of the activist women, thinks women have played an important role in the peaceful protests in Sweida. “The number of women participating in the protests has been increasing. The women participating in the protests have made the banners to carry in protests. The participation of women in the protests shows how women are active in politics now. 

“The role of women in society has been suppressed and limited by the Syrian government. Now, we as the women of Sweida, demand our stolen rights and freedom. We will keep struggling until our rights in society and politics are officially recognized. The participation and stance of the women of Sweida in the protests show that Syrian women have decided to take on their own roles and have a mission.” 

‘Kurdish women have become a role model for all women’ 

Raqiya Al Şaêr indicated that they, as women of Sweida, are influenced by the revolution led by Kurdish women in North and East Syria. She said, “Kurdish women have become a role model for all women. They have formed their own defense units to protect themselves and their people. Kurdish women have been fighting the patriarchal mindset and slavery. We greet all Kurdish women and their resistance. We also greet all resisting women.” 

‘The granddaughters of Zenobia will not bow to slavery’ 

Raqiya Al Şaêr added, “Our message to all Syrian women, who are the granddaughters of Zenobia, is that they have power to lead their society and build a life based on equality. You can rule a country. We will take back our freedom, we will undertake our roles and missions in society and we will not bow to slavery.” 

Call for solidarity with the people of Sweida 

Raqiya Al Şaêr is also a member of the Syrian al-Liwa Party, a Druze political party. Speaking about the withdrawal of Syrian forces from Sweida by the Syrian government, she said, “The reason for the withdrawal is still unknown. This step is a dangerous step. We know the system and policies of the regime from the past. We call on everyone to be in solidarity with the people of Sweida.” 

‘The threats of the regime cannot make us take a step back’ 

Another activist woman of Sweida told us that they are determined to take their rights back. “The regime has refrained from intervening in the protests and tried to intimidate the people of Sweida by threatening them on social media platforms. Women and young people lead the protests and the regime does not like this. For this reason, the Syrian authorities threaten the protesters on social media platforms. They say that ISIS will attack Sweida again. 

“We know the regime very well. They can organize an ISIS attack to break our will, as they did in 2018. But we are determined to take to the streets until we take our rights and freedom back. We demand freedom and democracy for ourselves and all people of Syria.” 

Xemsa Hanım, another woman activist in Sweida, talked about high inflation rate and deteriorating economic situation in Syria. “For 13 years, people of Syria have suffered from oppression and poverty. Syria has become one of the poorest countries, where working people receive not more than 14 dollars per month despite it is also among the richest countries in the world with its natural resources. 

“There are thousands of women in Syria who have lost their spouses, families and relatives. Some women are still missing. Displaced women have to live in bad living conditions in camps. The economic situation is deteriorating every day. Now, the people of Sweida say ‘enough’. They have been taking to the streets against injustice and exploitation. The protests have been going on for more than two weeks with the participation of people from all segments. We demand an end to the Syrian government and the implementation of Security Council resolution 2254.” 

‘Women of Sweida resisted the Ottoman Empire and French colonialism’ 

Pointing out that not only men and young people, but also the elderly, children and women have been participating in the popular protests in Sweida, Xemsa Hanım said, “The granddaughters of Zenobia resisted the Ottoman Empire and French colonialism in history. Now, they have been participating in peaceful protests to demand freedom and democracy. The women of Sweida demand the rights and freedom of all Syrian women.