The United States has voiced its concerns regarding reports that the Syrian regime used force against demonstrators in the province of As-Suwayda. The US Embassy in Damascus emphasized in a tweet on platform “X”, “We support the Syrian people’s right to peacefully protest for dignity, freedom, safety, and justice.”
The embassy further asserted that “A political solution based on UN Resolution 2254 is the only possible resolution to this conflict.”
On the previous Wednesday, a group of demonstrators in As-Suwayda was reportedly fired upon by Syrian regime forces positioned in the Ba’ath Party building in the city. This incident occurred after protesters attempted to close down the headquarters, resulting in three individuals being injured.
Protests in As-Suwayda, located in southern Syria, have entered their fourth week, with continued calls for political change and the overthrow of the Syrian regime.
As-Suwayda, a province located in the south of Syria, has historically maintained a complex relationship with the Syrian regime, often preferring local autonomy. The recent spate of protests and their growing intensity mirror broader sentiments across Syria since 2011, where demands for political reforms and regime change became central themes of the Syrian conflict.
UN Resolution 2254, passed in 2015, calls for a ceasefire and political settlement in Syria. The United States and other international actors see it as a pivotal foundation for peace in the war-torn nation. However, despite several efforts, a comprehensive political solution in Syria remains elusive.
The term “Syrian regime” often refers to the government led by the Assad family, which has been in power in Syria since 1971. Here is a brief overview:
1. Historical Background:
- Hafez al-Assad (1971–2000): Hafez al-Assad came to power in Syria in 1971 after a series of coups and political maneuverings. He ruled Syria with an iron fist for nearly three decades, consolidating power around his family and the Alawite sect (a minority Shia offshoot) in a majority Sunni country. His rule was marked by efforts to modernize the country, stabilize its politics after years of coups, and elevate Syria’s role in Arab politics, especially in relation to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
- Bashar al-Assad (2000–present): Hafez’s son, Bashar al-Assad, took over the presidency after his father’s death in 2000. Initially, there were hopes that Bashar, who was trained as an ophthalmologist in the UK and seemed open to reforms, might liberalize the Syrian political system. However, such hopes were dashed as he maintained a tight grip on power, stifling dissent and continuing many of his father’s policies.
2. Syrian Civil War: Starting in 2011, as part of the broader wave of the Arab Spring protests, Syria witnessed massive anti-government demonstrations. The Assad regime’s brutal suppression of these protests led to a full-blown civil war. This conflict drew in various ethnic, sectarian, and radical groups, as well as foreign interventions from countries like the US, Russia, Turkey, and Iran.
3. Human Rights Concerns: The Assad regime has been accused of widespread human rights abuses, both before and during the civil war. These allegations include the use of chemical weapons against civilians, extrajudicial killings, torture, and more. Multiple international bodies and rights groups have documented these abuses.
4. Present Situation (as of my last update in 2021): The Assad regime, with significant military support from Russia and Iran, has managed to retake control of most of the country’s territory. However, parts of the north, including Idlib province, remain outside government control and are held by a mix of opposition groups. The northeast is controlled by Kurdish-led forces, which have had a complicated relationship with the regime. The economic situation in Syria remains dire, exacerbated by sanctions, war damage, and the economic crisis in neighboring Lebanon.