Thousands Demonstrate for Druze Autonomy in Syria

• The protest in Sweden became the largest since the clashes in July.
• Demonstrators demand autonomy and justice for the Druze.
• Some participants of the action thanked Israel for its support.

On Saturday, in the southern Syrian city of Sweida, thousands of people took to the streets, demanding the right to autonomy for the Druze minority. This was the largest protest since the deadly clashes that occurred in the region last month.

The protest took place after sectarian clashes between Druze militias and armed Sunni groups that began on July 13. In these clashes, nearly 1,600 people were killed, many of whom were civilians from the Druze community.

The Syrian government claims that their forces intervened to restore order, while accusing the government of supporting Sunni groups and committing crimes against the Druze. Demonstrators expressed their protest against the temporary central government in Damascus and demanded that those responsible for the crimes against the Druze be held accountable.

Some participants of the action carried Israeli flags, indicating their support for its intervention during the clashes. Israel bombed positions of Syrian government forces that were acting against the Druze, indicating the need for the demilitarization of southern Syria.

Activist Rayan Ma'arouf noted that these protests were the first during which gas was used for autonomy, which is an unprecedented change for the Druze community in Syria.

The majority of Druze representatives live in Syria, but significant communities are also in Lebanon and Israel. Druze do not identify themselves as Muslims, although their religion has roots in Islamic tradition.

Tags: Middle East/Politics