2020 Suweida protests

The 2020 Suweida protests were a series of protests against the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the Druze-majority southern Syrian city of Suweida.[1]

2020 Suweida protests
Part of the Syrian civil war and the 2018–2021 Arab protests
Date7 June 2020 (2020-06-07) – 15 June 2020
(1 week and 1 day)
Location
 Syria
Caused by
Goals
Methods
Resulted in
Number
250—300 protesters[3]
Casualties
Arrested7[4]
Detained11[5]

Background

Since the start of the civil war in 2011, Syria’s infrastructure and economy has been devastated by the conflict. Leaving an estimated 80 per cent of the population living in poverty, and about 40 per cent unemployed by 2019.[6][7]

The Syrian pound which had been at 47 to the dollar at the start of the conflict, had held steady at around 500 to the dollar from 2014 until 2020. Crumbling to 3,500 to the dollar in June 2020. For a number of reasons; the coronavirus recession, Lebanon’s financial crisis, new rules requiring use of the Syrian pound and a feud between President Assad and his cousin, Rami Makhlouf, one of Syria’s richest men. Furthermore the United States was set to introduce the toughest ever Caesar act sanctions against the Syria Government.[8][9]

Food prices in Suweida had increased 152 per cent from the start of 2020 until April.[10]

Suweida which is of Druze-majority had remained loyal to Syria Government throughout the conflict. And the protests marked the first major gathering which called for the removal of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the province.[11]

Protests

Protests began on 7 June 2020, after dozens took to the streets in Suweida to protest the deteriorating economic conditions and corruption in the country.[11]

On 8 June 2020, protests continued for a second day as hundreds of demonstrators began marching through the streets in Suweida, massing outside government buildings. Chanting slogans such as, "Syria is for us and not the House of Assad".[7]

Protesters called for an end to rampant corruption and demanded the pullout of Iranian militias and Russian troops from Syria.[1]

On 11 June 2020, Syrian Prime Minister Imad Khamis was sacked by President Bashar al-Assad without giving a reason for the decision.[2]

On 15 June 2020, Syrian security forces detained and arrested several demonstrators in the first crackdown since the protests began, wounding several protesters in the process.[12][4]

See also

References
  1. Al-Khalidi, Suleiman (11 June 2020). "Protests hit Druze city in Syria for fourth day". Reuters. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  2. "Syria war: Assad sacks PM as economic crisis sparks protests". BBC News. 11 June 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  3. al-Aswad, Harun (8 June 2020). "'Enough is enough': Syria anti-government protests in Sweida swell for second day". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  4. Oweis, Khaled Yacoub (15 June 2020). "Suweida protests: Syrian regime cracks down on anti-Assad movement". The National. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  5. "Syria: Peaceful protesters detained in Sweida must be released immediately". Amnesty International. 25 June 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  6. Hubbard, Ben (15 June 2020). "Syria's Economy Collapses Even as Civil War Winds to a Close". The New York Times. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  7. Cornish, Chloe; al-Omar, Asmaa (8 June 2020). "Syria protests erupt in rare show of dissent against Assad". Financial Times. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  8. "Syria on brink of economic collapse amid looming US sanctions". TRT World. 12 June 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  9. McKernan, Bethan (12 June 2020). "Syrian protesters call for Assad's downfall as economic crisis deepens". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  10. "Syria hit by rare anti-regime protests sparked by economic crisis". France 24. AFP. 9 June 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  11. "Protest in southwest Syria against faltering economy, corruption". Al Jazeera. 7 June 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  12. "Syrian security forces detain protesters in southern city". Arab News. 15 June 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
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