The Situation in al-Suwayda': A Local Media Activist Perspective
The primarily Druze province of al-Suwayda’ in southern Syria and the wider Druze community in Syria have come to the forefront of media attention and analytical focus after the recent violence against Druze in the Damascus suburbs of Jaramana and Ashrafiyat Sahnaya and the reports of a new ‘agreement’ between the central government and the Druze religious and armed faction leaders.
A reader noted, with some justification, that my interviews with local sources have perhaps tended too heavily towards armed factions rather than civilians. Accordingly, I present here an interview on the current situation with ‘Nur Saab’, an independent media activist based in the al-Suwayda’ locality of al-Qurayya, which lies south of al-Suwayda’ city and is near the border with Deraa province. His hope is that through this interview and clarification of the situation, true de-escalation can be achieved- and it is what I hope for as well.
Damage to property in the Druze village of al-Sawar al-Kabira in northern al-Suwayda’, discovered after the ‘Public Security Apparatus’ withdrew from the village. Photo from local outlet Suwayda 24.
Q: How is the situation in al-Qurayya specifically? Who’s responsible for security in the area exactly?
A: All the local factions and groups, as well as civil groups that participate to a great extend in maintaining security and safety in the locality. The situation is stable. There are no threats. And the general mobilisation is only a precaution.
Q: Do people in al-Qurayya feel the situation is better now than the days before the fall of the regime or they don’t feel a change?