Protesters in As-Suwayda province, southern Syria, staged a new demonstration today, Friday, July 26, calling for political change in Syria and the overthrow of the regime.

The Suwayda 24 network reported that protesters came from various villages and areas in the province to al-Karamah Square, carrying banners, raising slogans, olive branches, and bouquets of flowers, emphasizing the message of continuing peaceful demonstrations.

Suwayda 24 added that today’s central demonstration was an opportunity for the protesters to commemorate “Black Wednesday,” which witnessed a horrific massacre committed by the Islamic State organization on July 25, 2018, during which more than 220 people from As-Suwayda were killed, including women and children.

Protesters carried pictures of the victims of the organization’s attack, whose anniversary fell on Thursday, July 25, and chanted for freedom and the overthrow of the regime.

In the same context, the local Al-Rased network reported that activists in the village of al-Janina in the countryside of As-Suwayda organized the central protest in al-Karamah Square this week, affirming through their designed banners the continuation of the peaceful movement until the Syrians’ demands for justice and a peaceful transition of power are met.

Al-Rased quoted one of the activists from al-Janina village as saying, “We continue our movement and our peaceful approach, and nothing will deter us from that until the country’s sovereignty and independence are restored from all the occupations brought in to loot the country and displace its inhabitants.”

Today, Friday, also marks the second anniversary of the uprising of the people of As-Suwayda against the militias linked to the security apparatus on July 26, 2022, when the protesters stormed the headquarters of Raji Falhout groups in the towns of Salim and Ateel in the countryside of As-Suwayda and ended their presence after two days of fighting.

On this occasion, the protesters raised pictures of the “heroes of this attack who sacrificed their blood for it” and chanted revolutionary songs and slogans, according to Al-Rased.

Representatives from various segments of the province’s residents participated in the protest, including the Health Sector Gathering, the Professional Gathering in As-Suwayda, the Teachers Gathering in As-Suwayda, and the Engineers Gathering in As-Suwayda.

The peaceful movement in As-Suwayda entered its 12th month on Friday, July 18, with the residents staging a central protest in al-Karamah Square, affirming their continued protests despite all attempts to suppress them, the latest of which was the assassination of the leader of the local Mountain Brigade, Merhej al-Germani.

As-Suwayda province has been continuing its peaceful movement calling for political change and the overthrow of the regime since August 17, 2023, amid repeated attempts by the regime to abort this movement.