Despite Syria's gradual return to the Arab world and the Arab League, its economic situation has only worsened. The Syrian pound fell to a new low this month and is now worth 15,000 pounds to the dollar (compared to 47 pounds to the dollar before the war). The cost of living, intense poverty, and dysfunctional infrastructure have prompted crowds to protest against the regime.
The protests began in southern Syria in areas under the control of the Assad regime – in as-Suwayda, which is mainly populated by Druze, as well as in Daraa, whose inhabitants are primarily Sunni. Protestors are calling for the improvement in the economic situation, the return of bread and fuel subsidies, and a regular supply of electricity. The demonstrations began a week after the President's decision to double the salary and pension for public sector employees, even while most of the population suffers from poverty and hunger. Beyond the economic demands, the protesters also began to raise political demands that include calls for the overthrow of the regime, the release of detainees, and the removal of the Iranian and the Russian presence from the country.
The protests, which included burning tires and blocking roads, led to the shutdown of commerce in the city and the closing of government offices for fear of being attacked. Earlier, local Druze broke into branches of the Baath Party, removed the workers, and defaced pictures of Assad. In addition to the familiar features of protests in Syria, this time there are also some new gimmicks: the "notes campaign" that appears in various parts of Syria (including in Damascus) with short messages condemning the regime, such as "There is no future for the Assad regime" and "Damascus is at the dawn of a new revolution"; as well as images showing the picture of Assad on the mobile phone with a fig sign pointing at him.
For his part, the President did not bother to comment officially on the developments – in contrast to his adviser, Luna al-Shibl, who defied the protesters vehemently: "He who was not defeated by dozens of countries, billions of dollars, and hundreds of thousands of terrorists, will not be defeated by a few dozen mercenaries." Negotiation attempts by local governors on behalf of the regime to quell the protests were unsuccessful, and to date, it appears that the protests are expanding to other areas in Syria, at this stage mainly outside the control of the regime, but with the potential to undermine the already fragile order in the country.
Despite Syria's gradual return to the Arab world and the Arab League, its economic situation has only worsened. The Syrian pound fell to a new low this month and is now worth 15,000 pounds to the dollar (compared to 47 pounds to the dollar before the war). The cost of living, intense poverty, and dysfunctional infrastructure have prompted crowds to protest against the regime.
The protests began in southern Syria in areas under the control of the Assad regime – in as-Suwayda, which is mainly populated by Druze, as well as in Daraa, whose inhabitants are primarily Sunni. Protestors are calling for the improvement in the economic situation, the return of bread and fuel subsidies, and a regular supply of electricity. The demonstrations began a week after the President's decision to double the salary and pension for public sector employees, even while most of the population suffers from poverty and hunger. Beyond the economic demands, the protesters also began to raise political demands that include calls for the overthrow of the regime, the release of detainees, and the removal of the Iranian and the Russian presence from the country.
The protests, which included burning tires and blocking roads, led to the shutdown of commerce in the city and the closing of government offices for fear of being attacked. Earlier, local Druze broke into branches of the Baath Party, removed the workers, and defaced pictures of Assad. In addition to the familiar features of protests in Syria, this time there are also some new gimmicks: the "notes campaign" that appears in various parts of Syria (including in Damascus) with short messages condemning the regime, such as "There is no future for the Assad regime" and "Damascus is at the dawn of a new revolution"; as well as images showing the picture of Assad on the mobile phone with a fig sign pointing at him.
For his part, the President did not bother to comment officially on the developments – in contrast to his adviser, Luna al-Shibl, who defied the protesters vehemently: "He who was not defeated by dozens of countries, billions of dollars, and hundreds of thousands of terrorists, will not be defeated by a few dozen mercenaries." Negotiation attempts by local governors on behalf of the regime to quell the protests were unsuccessful, and to date, it appears that the protests are expanding to other areas in Syria, at this stage mainly outside the control of the regime, but with the potential to undermine the already fragile order in the country.