عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Features

Syrian South Protests Living Conditions

Photos of the gatherings in central Sweida, Syria, were shared by activists on social media (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Photos of the gatherings in central Sweida, Syria, were shared by activists on social media (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT
TT

Syrian South Protests Living Conditions

Photos of the gatherings in central Sweida, Syria, were shared by activists on social media (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Photos of the gatherings in central Sweida, Syria, were shared by activists on social media (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Recent strikes and protests in the Sweida province in southern Syria have brought back memories of the demonstrations that erupted in the spring of 2011.

Reasons behind renewed protests in Sweida are deteriorating living conditions and recent government decisions that, while increasing the salaries of state employees, have exacerbated the impoverishment of the Syrian people and heightened inflation.

Protests in Sweida began following a call by locals to go on a general strike.

Local sources in Suwayda confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that the scope of the protests, which began last Wednesday, has expanded throughout the province.

On Sunday, there was a significant response to the call for a general strike. Residents closed major roads in villages and cities. Shops shut their doors, and employees refrained from going to government institutions and agencies.

Sweida’s Department of Education announced the postponement of Sunday’s scheduled exams at the Damascus University branch in the province to a later, undetermined, date.

Sources also highlighted an incident involving an official from the Baath Party.

The official tried to escape from one of the towns using a rural road, but locals blocked the way, forcing them to find an alternative route out of the province.

Local news website “Sweida 24” broadcasted an audio clip of the conversation between the official and the locals who blocked his passage.

One of them asked, “If we let you reach your workplace, will you ensure water reaches our homes?”

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed that roads and government departments in Sweida were closed in protest of the deteriorating economic situation.

Meanwhile, local activists circulated photos and video clips showing the closure of roads, shops, as well as demonstrations and protest gatherings.

Since Wednesday, the capital city of Damascus has been gripped by a palpable sense of apprehension and widespread concern amidst noticeable security mobilization.

An opposition news website cited private sources stating that “security agencies have issued directives to their branches and units in the Rural Damascus Governorate to be on high alert, preparing to confront any opposition movement with measures even stricter than those in 2011.”

This development followed activists’ calls for civil disobedience.

Videos circulated by these activists showed anti-regime slogans written on walls in the town of Zakia in Rural Damascus. This coincided with protests that erupted in the provinces of Daraa and Sweida.

Most Viewed

 
 
Features

Iran's Businesses Bear Brunt of Daily Power Blackouts

Repeated power cuts have angered Iranians in recent years, especially during the hot summer months - AFP
Repeated power cuts have angered Iranians in recent years, especially during the hot summer months - AFP
TT
TT

Iran's Businesses Bear Brunt of Daily Power Blackouts

Repeated power cuts have angered Iranians in recent years, especially during the hot summer months - AFP
Repeated power cuts have angered Iranians in recent years, especially during the hot summer months - AFP

Baristas and servers linger outside a cafe in Tehran, smoking and chatting, as scheduled daytime power cuts due to energy shortages plunge businesses in Iran's capital into the dark.

"When the power is out, we are almost completely out of service," said Ali, a 30-year-old employee, of the nationwide rolling electricity outages imposed daily since November 11.

"We use mostly electrical equipment here in the cafe such as an electric oven and espresso machine," he told AFP, asking that only his first name be used.
Years of Western sanctions and a lack of investment in infrastructure have exacerbated the situation, especially during peak consumption months in summer and winter.

To deal with the shortages, the government has introduced two-hour blackouts, which rotate between various neighbourhoods in cities between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm.

President Masoud Pezeshkian attributed the decision to "low fuel reserves", saying Iran must "adjust the fuel for power plants so that we do not face problems in winter".

- 'Poison' -

Fatemeh Mohajerani, government spokeswoman, said power cuts were necessary to cut down on a relatively cheap low-quality fuel -- known as mazout -- used at some older-generation power plants.

The heavy fuel oil has been used for years to address power shortages despite its emissions causing heavy air pollution.

She said the public would need to deal with blackouts for a limited time, to find an alternative to what she described as "poison".

"It is unfair that part of the society should pay with their lives for the production of electricity," she added.

But for Mona, another employee at the cafe in Tehran -- home to about 10 million people -- it isn't worth the cost.

"The government says it has stopped burning mazut in a number of power plants in other cities, but we need to pay for that in Tehran," the 36-year-old told AFP.

Repeated power cuts have angered citizens of the Islamic republic in recent years, especially during the hot summer months.

In July, the authorities ordered the working hours of civil servants to be halved for several days in an attempt to save energy.

But energy shortages go beyond just electricity in Iran.

On November 12, National Iranian Gas Company announced daily gas consumption in the country had set a new record of 794 million cubic metres.

Economic expert Hassan Forouzanfard cited poor infrastructure, mismanagement and in particular Western sanctions as responsible for Iran's energy problems.

"Sanctions and the cutting of the ties with international energy companies have deprived us of both the necessary technology and investment to develop our oil and gas sectors," he told AFP.

- 'Warm clothes' -

"If we have a cold winter this year, we will have to collectively deal with both gas and electricity problems in the country," Forouzanfard said.
Iran, despite holding some of the world's largest natural gas and oil reserves, has grappled with massive energy shortages in recent months

"I do not think that the government would be able to either control the negative effects of the pollution or to resolve the energy imbalances in a reasonable and serious way in the short term," he added.

But Tehran says consumers must do their part to conserve energy.

"We have no choice but to consume energy economically, especially gas, in the current conditions and the cold weather," said Pezeshkian.

"I myself use warm clothes at home, others can do the same," the president added.

During one of the scheduled power cuts, a queue formed outside a supermarket in Tehran.

"Since it is dark inside and our CCTVs are offline, we allow just one customer at a time so we can better handle them," said Sina, a 24-year-old employee, who did not want to give his full name.

"We are afraid that in the dark and without the help of surveillance cameras, we can't figure out if an item goes missing," he said, arguing that the power cuts are hurting the small business.