A Syrian man has tragically passed away due to gunshot wounds sustained during a protest against President Bashar Assad in the southern province of Sweida, as confirmed by a medical source and two local monitors on Wednesday.
This incident marks the first reported fatality linked to the demonstrations regarding economic conditions that had engulfed Druze-majority Sweida last year. These protests rapidly evolved into rallies against the Assad regime.
According to Suwayda 24, a local news outlet, a 52-year-old man succumbed to his injuries from gunshot wounds after security forces, stationed to guard a government building, fired upon nearby protesters.
Both a local medical source and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a group monitoring the 13-year-long conflict in Syria, have verified the occurrence of this fatality.
Reports from Suwayda 24 indicate that Sheikh Hikmat Al-Hijri, the spiritual leader of the Druze sect, engaged with protesters on Wednesday and honoured the deceased man as a “martyr”.
Last August, Sweida witnessed mass protests spurred by soaring gasoline prices. Sweida, a province previously sheltered from the relentless violence that has plagued Syria since 2011, saw an abrupt shift in sentiments. What initially began as demonstrations against economic hardships swiftly transformed into demands for significant political reforms, with Assad being the primary target of criticism.
Throughout the province, numerous local branches of the ruling Baath party were forcibly shut down by protesters who tore down posters featuring the president and his father. This act of defiance marked a significant departure from the usual obedience observed in areas under government control.
The passing of the Syrian man underscores the intensity and gravity of the grievances voiced by the people of Sweida. Despite its relatively isolated position within the Syrian conflict, Sweida has now become a focal point for dissent against the Assad regime.
As news of the fatality reverberates across Syria, concerns mount regarding the potential escalation of tensions in Sweida and the broader implications for the ongoing conflict. The death of the protester serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by those who dare to challenge the status quo in Syria.
The response of the Assad regime to the protests in Sweida remains uncertain. However, past experiences suggest a pattern of repression and crackdowns on dissent, raising fears of further violence and unrest in the region.
International observers and human rights organisations have condemned the use of lethal force against protesters and have called for a transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the protester’s death.
Meanwhile, the people of Sweida mourn the loss of one of their own, a man who dared to stand up for his beliefs in the face of adversity. As they continue to demand justice and accountability, the memory of the fallen protester serves as a rallying cry for those who refuse to be silenced in their quest for a better future.
