Baladi News - Al-Suwayda (Private)
Al-Suwayda, the Syrian governorate that has an overwhelming majority of the Druze, has undergone several campaigns to change its demographic structure by Assad's regime. These campaigns, which took the form of a series of procedures, aim at obliterating the unique identity of the area by localizing Shiites. Shiite appeared for the first time in the governorate when Hezbollah militants were trying to enter Bosra Sham in Daraa in order to support their counterparts in that city. Those militants were few and resided in two areas in the city of Al-Suwayda, namely Sadd Al-ain and Almadinah Alreyadiya.
One year later, the regime started systematic approaches to penetrate the ranks of the Duze sect by giving Hezbollah militants prominent Druze family names. However, these attempts were soon exposed by the angry citizens who refused this conspiracy against their unique identity and faith. Yet, the regime continued its plot by opening offices to facilitate the marriage of Druze youth to Shiite girls for no dowry. This step also failed, and one office was closed.
Activists from Al-Suwayda told Baladi News that "The Syrian regime did not stop at this point. Rather, it attempted to buy lands and properties through its allied groups who are merely a cover to the plan as the real owners are actually Shiite figures. Such groups and figures were also exposed and the plan significantly failed".
Activists added that "the recent protests paid off the closure of one Shiite office, namely Zine El Abidine militia office, for fear of the citizens' reaction. "