Hundreds of demonstrators gathered Saturday in central Sweida (As-Suwayda), rallying under the slogan “Right to Self-Determination” to demand greater local authority and protections for the predominantly Druze province. Protesters converged on al-Karama (Dignity) Square, with organizers and participants framing their calls within a broader push for decentralization and locally accountable governance.
Local coverage of the event was provided by Istanbul-based Syria TV and a video published by the Suwayda 24 outlet, which described a large turnout in al-Karama Square.
The protest comes amid renewed debate over political decentralization in Syria. On August 8, a conference titled “Unity of Position for the Components of Northeastern Syria,” organized by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), was held in Hasakah. Hikmat al-Hijri, one of the leading Druze religious authorities in Sweida, addressed the gathering via a recorded message.
Also taking part was Ghazal Ghazal, head of the Alawite Islamic Council in Syria, who advocated a civil, secular, pluralistic, and decentralized state structure for the country.
Amid these internal debates, local reporting has alleged that Israel is attempting to capitalize on Syria’s political divisions, escalating political and military pressure under the banner of minority protection. Damascus, for its part, maintains that all components of Syrian society are equal in rights and warns against any attempts to instrumentalize the Druze community for external interference.
In parallel, social media campaigns sought to ease tensions and reinforce a national civic discourse. The hashtag “Sweida in the heart of Syria” trended on Facebook, promoting coexistence and rejecting external agendas viewed locally as divisive.
Those efforts followed deadly events that shook Sweida on July 13, 2025, straining relations with neighboring Daraa. Civil society–led peace initiatives have since gained traction, with activists from Sweida, Daraa, and Quneitra launching joint campaigns to contain the crisis, push back against sectarian rhetoric online, and preserve social cohesion across provinces.