Residents of the Syrian province of Sweida responded to the call for a general strike today, Sunday, closing government institutions and shops. Public and private transportation services also went on strike, leading to a complete paralysis in the province. Large protests took place, with the biggest rally occurring in al-Karama Square in the center of Sweida city, in response to the worsening living and economic conditions in Syria. Dozens gathered in the square, chanting slogans demanding freedom and the departure of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
The "Sweida 24" network reported that most government offices were closed in the city, and merchants shut their shops, announcing their participation in the general strike, adding that the city's markets were nearly empty of pedestrians. Protesters closed the roads leading to the city, while others throughout the province blocked access routes, allowing only emergency cases to pass. They also closed shops and government offices to declare their participation in the strike.
The Education Directorate in Sweida announced that exams scheduled for the University of Damascus branch in the province on Sunday were postponed to a later date due to the strike. In other cities and towns in the province, dozens participated in the general strike, performing protest vigils and chanting slogans against President Bashar al-Assad.
The high momentum of the strike was fueled by deteriorating living conditions, especially after the Syrian government's decision to raise fuel prices, which led to an increase in food and consumer goods prices. The movement gained further strength after the spiritual leader of the Druze community, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, announced his support for the movement in Sweida and the demands of the residents.
Sheikh al-Hijri called for action to "achieve change and justice," stating: "It is your right to demand a decent living, and we will not settle for the minimum. Let us expel from among us those who attempt to undermine our requests." He added, "It is the people's right to scream and call for help, it is their right to stop work that brings them humiliation, and it is shameful to witness this destruction while remaining silent. Those who hold leadership positions should feel some shame when faced with incapacity and shortcomings."
In his statement, he mentioned that the actions and decisions have targeted the basic means of living, and it is about time to suppress those causing these strife and calamities and those issuing unjust and destructive decisions. He urged to uproot all strangers and offenders from our land, and prevent anyone from stealing our resources. He stated, "We are now facing strangers who have violated our resources in questionable ways, and responsible positions are filled with individuals who act wrongly with harmful decisions that violate standards and the constitution, issued in darkness to shock the people and violate their resources, destroying hopes for a decent and prosperous life."
He continued: "This is not how a people should be treated by their government, nor should decisions and actions take this form, with the excuse of a global war. What kind of global war is this where you destroy your people and imprison their resources, driving your national economy into the abyss with lowly decisions focused solely on coercive revenue collection and destruction of infrastructure."
In addition, the Bedouin clans in Sweida announced their participation in the general strike, protesting the deteriorating economic conditions.
