The Syrian revolution, nearly 14 years in the making, remains a testament to the unyielding determination of its people. Born out of grassroots resistance to tyranny, the revolution continues as a movement for freedom, dignity, and justice, driven by the collective will of Syrians across the country.
The ongoing Repelling the Aggression campaign has reinvigorated this spirit, uniting revolutionary forces and civilians in a shared struggle against the Assad regime. Demonstrations and defiance have erupted in cities like Suwayda, Daraa, and Homs, a testament to the movement’s organic, people-led nature.
Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Suwayda, described Syria as standing at a historic crossroads. In a statement on Sunday, he called for an end to the years-long conflict and the suffering it has inflicted on Syrians.
“Syria is at a historic turning point that requires ending the conflict and stopping the killing machine that has claimed the lives of Syrians and caused their displacement and migration over the years,” Sheikh Al-Hijri said. “The Syrian citizen has paid the highest price for this prolonged conflict.”
Reflecting on the recent gains by revolutionary forces in Aleppo, Idlib, and Hama, Sheikh Al-Hijri reaffirmed the right of displaced Syrians to return to their homes and reclaim their legitimate rights. He emphasized that Syria must be a homeland for all its people, without discrimination or exclusion, rooted in the principles of freedom and dignity.
“We call on all parties to exercise self-restraint and avoid any acts of revenge that may deepen the wounds and disrupt peace and national reconciliation efforts,” he said. Al-Hijri also urged the international community to work toward a comprehensive political transition.
In Daraa and Suwayda, symbols of resistance against the Assad regime, solidarity with the Repelling the Aggression campaign has manifested through civil and military defiance. In Suwayda, rocket-propelled grenades struck regime targets, including the Air Force Intelligence branch and the Baath Party headquarters. Armed clashes at the police command building left several officers injured, while other regime positions came under attack.
In Daraa, residents held demonstrations in towns such as Maaraba, Nahta, and Tafas, demanding the regime’s ouster and expressing support for revolutionary forces. Armed groups launched coordinated attacks on regime checkpoints, killing regime personnel and securing the defection of soldiers. Statements from local groups emphasized a desire to defend their land and minimize bloodshed, urging regime forces to surrender peacefully.
Civil activist Muhammad al-Maqdad described the situation in Daraa as pivotal. “We are witnessing the confusion of the ruling regime and its security authorities,” he said, noting that military families have begun withdrawing from the region amid fears of further revolutionary gains.
The Command of Military Operations (CMO) coalition has delivered significant victories in northern Syria, including the liberation of Aleppo City, Idlib province, and parts of Hama. Revolutionary forces have secured key areas, breaking through long-held regime strongholds. These victories have sparked celebrations in liberated areas and beyond, with demonstrations of solidarity in the Damascus countryside and Homs.
Unlike Assad’s regime, which relies on foreign backers such as Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah to maintain its grip on power, the Syrian revolution remains a people’s movement. It is driven by ordinary Syrians seeking to reclaim their country and rebuild their lives.
Revolutionary forces have focused on protecting civilians, reclaiming stolen land, and ensuring security in liberated areas. In contrast, the Assad regime has turned Syria into a battleground for proxy wars, with foreign militias deepening the conflict’s devastation.
Sheikh Al-Hijri highlighted this contrast in his call for national unity and an end to sectarian divisions. “We are committed to calling for Syria to be a safe homeland that embraces all its people without exception,” he said.
As the revolution continues, the international community faces growing pressure to support a political transition that addresses the roots of Syria’s crisis – namely the brutal regime of Bashar al-Assad. The Syrian revolution, powered by the enduring will of its people, remains a beacon of hope. As Syrians across the country rise against oppression, their unified voice sends a clear message: Assad must go, and the fight for freedom and dignity will not be silenced.
