‘The people of Sweida see the Autonomous Administration as the solution’
Ruken Malla İbrahim, deputy spokesperson of the Raqqa Women’s Council, says the people of Sweida see the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) as the solution to build a democratic, free and equal life in Syria.
YUSRA AL-EHMED
Raqqa- The peaceful protests erupted in the Druze majority city of Sweida over the high inflation rate and deteriorating economic situation in Syria continue on their sixth week. The protesters demand the change of the government, better living conditions and a democratic system based on freedom and equality.
In an interview with NuJINHA, Ruken Malla İbrahim, deputy spokesperson of the Raqqa Women’s Council, commented on the ongoing protests in Sweida.
‘The people of Sweida see the Autonomous Administration as solution’
In her speech, Ruken Malla İbrahim noted that the Syrian government tried to end the political crisis that started in Syria 12 years ago by using oppressive policies. “Due to the deteriorating economic situation, oppressive policies and lack of access to basic services sparked protests in Sweida. The people of Sweida see the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria as the solution for the Syrian crisis because they know that it is the only peaceful solution for the crisis.”
‘Freedom of women is the freedom of everyone’
Ruken Malla İbrahim told us that the people of North and East Syria have a common life based on a democratic system. She said:
“The Baathist regime prevented the Kurdish people and ethnic groups from speaking their mother language and preserving their culture. The people participating in the protests demand an autonomous administration so that they can practice their culture freely. The protesters carry the photographs of Hevrin Khalaf and this shows that they demand this. The women, who lead the protests, express their solidarity with the Jin, Jiyan, Azadi’ uprising by holding the photographs of Jina Mahsa Amini. Freedom of women is the freedom of everyone. Therefore, the protests in Sweida will achieve victory with the strong will, resistance and free thought of women.”
Ruken Malla İbrahim also said that they, as the women of North and East Syria, stood by the women of Sweida. “The women of Sweida and Dera speak out to make their voices heard all around the world. At every opportunity, they express that they will not take a step back until they take their rights back. We support their peaceful protests.”