{"id":71818,"date":"2026-04-18T15:36:09","date_gmt":"2026-04-18T15:36:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/71818\/"},"modified":"2026-04-18T15:36:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-18T15:36:09","slug":"syrian-govt-supporters-opponents-clash-in-damascus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/71818\/","title":{"rendered":"Syrian govt supporters, opponents clash in Damascus"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dozens of Syrians <\/a>gathered the Yusuf Al-Azmeh Square in the capital Damascus\u00a0<\/a>on Friday for a protest under the slogan “Law and Dignity”, calling for economic and political reforms amid worsening living conditions and rising costs.<\/p>\n

In a statement issued after the protest, organisers said their demands “remain in place”, adding they would continue to monitor decisions affecting livelihoods and state assets amid what they described as a continued deterioration in economic and social conditions.<\/p>\n

They said the mobilisation was launched “based on the rights guaranteed by the constitutional declaration to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly”, stressing that it “does not belong to any political party or specific organisation” and was organised by “civil activists from diverse backgrounds”.<\/p>\n

Tensions emerged as supporters of the Syrian government gathered nearby, accusing participants of being remnants of the former regime of Bashar al-Assad<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Scuffles broke out, leaving at least one person injured, while journalist Mirella Abu Shneib was assaulted during a live broadcast by an individual accusing her of being aligned with the former regime.<\/p>\n

The organising group said “some groups” had attacked peaceful protesters using methods “far removed from national values”, adding that several people were injured following what it described as prior “incitement campaigns”.<\/p>\n

It also alleged that a vehicle attempted to run over protesters, describing the incident as evidence of “excessive violence”.<\/p>\n

Security forces deployed in and around the square intervened to separate the two sides and prevent escalation. No arrests were reported.<\/p>\n

Some participants praised the response, with one saying it “helped maintain the peaceful nature of the sit-in”, while another said it reflected “a clear shift” in how public gatherings are handled.<\/p>\n

Sahar Ibrahim, an employee at the Ministry of Communications, said: “Everyone who took part in the 2011 protests should be taking part today, because the revolution has not yet achieved its goals.”<\/p>\n

She added that “the most important thing is that we have a permanent constitution and a parliament that represents the people”, expressing hope there would not be a repeat of “the practices of the previous regime in setting one street against another”.<\/p>\n

She said protesters had gathered “to defend their livelihoods and against the privatisation of hospitals and against corruption in the country”, adding: “We are not against the state\u2026 we are a people tired of poverty and hunger.”<\/p>\n

Omar al-Omari, from Deir ez-Zor, said: “I am paralysed and my pension is not enough\u2026 I cannot afford to buy trousers or even a chicken.”<\/p>\n

Some opponents questioned the timing of the protest. One said “the country is going through a sensitive phase” and that demonstrations could hinder reconstruction, while another said demands should be raised through “organised legal frameworks”.<\/p>\n

The organisers outlined 20 demands, including halting price increases until wages are adjusted, linking salaries to living costs, reviewing tariffs on essential services, and protecting public services from privatisation.<\/p>\n

The protest is part of a broader wave of small but persistent demonstrations across Syria in recent months, largely driven by economic grievances.<\/p>\n

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