Sweida residents demand withdrawal of Damascus forces from governorate's administrative borders

Al-Karamah Square in the center of Sweida city witnessed a protest today, attended by activists from the city and residents of villages in the western countryside, to express their categorical rejection of the presence of Damascus government forces in the governorate.

Protesters raised banners bearing direct messages, most notably: "Leave our land... The truth will not be erased." Participants chanted slogans accusing these forces of committing serious violations, including killing, displacement, and burning property. They believed that these practices aimed to break the will of the population and obliterate their identity.

They also demanded the immediate and complete withdrawal of these forces from the administrative borders of Sweida and affirmed their right to live in safety and dignity on their land.

Damascus government forces are stationed in more than 30 villages, preventing the transfer of the bodies of victims whose bodies have decomposed and preventing any international body from entering to document the numbers or provide assistance.

On August 23, a number of citizens held a protest in al-Karama Square in the center of Sweida city, demanding the right to self-determination for Sweida Governorate and allowing neutral foreign media access to report the reality on the ground without distortion or falsification.

The participants also demanded the formation of UN investigative committees to monitor the local situation and directly assess the needs of citizens, stressing their continued demand for their legitimate rights until they are achieved.

This comes after local factions and forces in Sweida announced on Saturday the formation of the "National Guard in Sweida," which includes thousands of fighters from Sweida. Dozens of local factions signed the new formation.

ANHA