The southern Syrian province of As-Suwayda (near the Jordanian border) witnessed large-scale demonstrations on Saturday, August 16, with participants demanding “self-determination” and raising Israeli flags, even as humanitarian aid convoys continued to enter the area.

Local media networks published footage from the protest in al-Karama Square in Suwayda city, where demonstrators raised both the Druze Unitarian flag and the Israeli flag under the slogan, “The right to self-determination.”

Protesters chanted against “federalism” and instead demanded “full independence” from Syria, with slogans praising Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri. Many accused the Syrian government of representing “jihadists” and ISIS.

It was the first mass demonstration of this scale in Suwayda explicitly calling for independence and secession from Syria.

 At the same time, another demonstration took place in Shahba (northern Suwayda province), where participants called for the urgent opening of a humanitarian crossing, the formation of an international investigation committee, and the release of detainees.

Several Druze Sheikhs al-‘Aql joined the protest, where chants of “Suwayda wants independence” echoed. Banners carried messages such as:

• “Secession rather than living in a state of backwardness,”

• “Down with the authority of terrorism,”

• “Secession rather than living in a state of terrorism.”

Some demonstrators expressed gratitude toward Israel.

Humanitarian Aid Deliveries

Meanwhile, a humanitarian aid convoy of 11 trucks carrying flour entered Suwayda on the same day through the Busra al-Sham crossing in neighboring Daraa province.

According to Enab Baladi’s correspondent in Daraa, the convoy was organized by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC), escorted by General Security from Damascus to the crossing, and then entered Suwayda via the village of Bard in the province’s south.

SARC announced that a total of 450 tons of flour had been delivered to Suwayda on Friday and Saturday, August 15–16, as part of its humanitarian response in the south, with support from the World Food Programme and donors through the Lebanese Red Cross.

Overnight Gunfire, Daytime Calm

Northern and western Suwayda province witnessed cautious calm on Saturday, following an exchange of gunfire the previous evening between General Security and local factions along the Badama and Qarasa fronts west of the province. The source of the gunfire remains unclear.

The town of Najran in rural Suwayda also saw an exchange of fire on Friday night.

General Security maintains control over most of the administrative border between Daraa and Suwayda from the west and north, aside from several gaps.

Civilian Killed in Daraa

Separately, a woman was killed on Friday when attackers targeted a car near Kahil (eastern Daraa countryside) as it traveled from Suwayda to Damascus through the Busra al-Sham crossing.

The victim was identified as Nada Mohammad Amer. No other casualties were reported, though two buses sustained damage. Syrian state media (SANA) said authorities are pursuing the perpetrators and will refer them to the judiciary.