Mass resignations in As-Suwayda in protest against massacres

Several professional and civil syndicates in As-Suwayda announced the collective resignation of their councils and severed relations with the central syndicates in Damascus, protesting what they described as "massacres committed against civilians" during the recent attacks on the city, according to local sources.

The Lawyers’ Syndicate in As-Suwayda stated in a press release that its council tendered a collective resignation in condemnation of what it described as "genocide and crimes against humanity" perpetrated by the Interim Government through its regular and auxiliary forces, considering the events as sectarian cleansing targeting the local community.

Similarly, the Engineers’ Syndicate mourned several of its members who fell in the attacks, describing the incident as an "outrageous crime" aimed at breaking the will of the mountain’s inhabitants and assassinating their civil fabric. The syndicate also announced the suspension of coordination with the Syrian Interim Government, demanding a national authority representing the will of the Syrian people.

The Agricultural Engineers’ Syndicate mourned three of its members, describing the attack as "barbaric and supported by a terrorist authority," and confirmed the suspension of all forms of communication with the Syrian Interim Government until the "de facto authority is removed."

The Veterinary Doctors’ Syndicate considered the ongoing events in As-Suwayda a "crime against humanity" carried out by the authorities against civilians motivated by sectarianism, noting that the de facto government participates in incitement and supports violations. The syndicate declared freezing its relations with the Interim Government until "an authority representing the people and preserving their dignity is established."

Meanwhile, the Teachers’ Syndicate held the Interim Government directly responsible for the massacres, reaffirming its commitment to the mission of education and rejecting mobilization and calls for takfir (excommunication). The syndicate announced suspending dealings with the Interim Government's syndicate "until the extremist ideology monopolizing it is removed," as it put it.

These mass resignations and escalating decisions reflect a collapse of trust between civil society institutions in As-Suwayda and the central authority of the Interim Government, amid increasing accusations against the government of direct responsibility for the recurring violence in the province.

As-Suwayda has been witnessing escalating tensions amid local and international calls to halt the violence, ensure civilian protection, and hold accountable those responsible for the violations.

ANHA