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Hundreds of Druze demonstrated in the city of al-Suwayda and other parts of the southern Syrian governorate on August 16 to demand the right to self determination.
Some of the protesters waved Israeli flags to thank Israel for intervening on their side during the battle with the forces of Syria’s Islamist-led interim government and affiliated Bedouin tribes last month.
The battle, which broke out on July 13, claimed the lives of more than 1,600 people, including over 400 Druze civilians who were executed by government troops and Bedouin fighters. The Israeli intervention allowed Druze fighters to maintain control over the city of al-Suwayda along with nearly all of its eastern and southern countryside.
However, government forces managed to hold onto most of the northern and western countryside of the governorate. A ceasefire was brokered by the United States on July 16 and clashes came to an end a few days later. Since then, al-Suwayda has been under a strict siege.
The protesters in al-Suwayda expressed their rejection of the interim government and demanded that those responsible for atrocities against Druze be brought to justice. Some of the protesters called on Israel to intervene to support their demand of self determination.
The very next day, pro-government Bedouin tribes held an extended meeting at a military base near the town of Rakhm in the eastern countryside of the governorate of Daraa, which neighbors al-Suwayda. Hundreds of armed fighters were present.
During the meeting, the tribes affirmed their full support for the interim government and their rejection of any plans aimed at dividing the country.
They also called for confronting what they called “armed groups seeking to implement foreign agendas” in al-Suwayda,” emphasizing that their military actions are directed against these groups only and do not target civilians.
The recent developments indicate that the conflict in al-Suwayda is not over yet. In fact, the real conflict may have just begun.
While there is no clear concession among Druze on the right to self determination, the demand is surely gaining popularity with many even calling for a Druze state in al-Suwayda.
Such a state will be isolated, as the interim government will never accept the results of any referendum. In addition, Jordan will likely reject opening a border crossing with a de-facto state. This could, however, open the door for Israel to establish a corridor in Daraa and neighboring al-Qunitra under the gesture of backing the Druze state. In this scenario, the Druze will get al-Suwayda, while Israel will slowly take over much of what’s left of southern Syria.
Recent reports revealed ongoing talks on a “humanitarian corridor” linking Israel with al-Suwayda, with the involvement of the interim government. This may be just the first step.
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treator bastards bomb them alllllll
the war cult does all to remove self determination from humanity. israel will see these people as like palestinians or less.
israel always claims holy land status. un-holy is the reality. heaven grows life, israel destroys it. easy to see
me and attila often visit gay bars tel aviv where we scrub toilets for shekels
quisling whores waving zio flags to supply a pretext for more joo land thieving.