Suwayda Governorate
Al-Suwayda Governorate
مُحافظة السويداء | |
|---|---|
Map of Syria with al-Suwayda Governorate highlighted | |
| Coordinates (Al-Suwayda): 32°48′N 36°48′E / 32.8°N 36.8°E | |
| Country | Syria |
| Control | Suwayda Military Council[1] Al-Jabal Brigade Sheikh al-Karama Forces Men of Dignity[2] |
| Capital | Al-Suwayda |
| Manatiq (Districts) | 3 |
| Government | |
| • Governor | Mustafa al-Bakour |
| Area | |
• Total | 5,550 km2 (2,140 sq mi) |
| Population (2011) | |
• Total | 375,000[3] |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
| ISO 3166 code | SY-SU |
| Main language(s) | Arabic |
As-Suwayda or Al-Suwayda Governorate (Arabic: مُحافظة السويداء, romanized: Muḥāfaẓat as-Suwaydā’) is one of the fourteen governorates (provinces) of Syria. It is the southernmost governorate, covering an area of 5,550 km², and is part of the historic Hawran region. The capital and largest city of the governorate is al-Suwayda.
Geographically the governorate comprises almost all of Jabal al-Druze, the eastern part of Lejah, and a part of the arid eastern steppe of Harrat al-Shamah.
Most inhabitants of As-Suwayda are employed in agriculture, cultivating crops such as grapes, apples, olives, and wheat. Additionally, As-Suwayda is home to numerous archaeological sites.
This governorate is unique in Syria as it has a Druze majority. Additionally, it has integrated Christian communities that have long coexisted harmoniously with the Druze in these mountains.[4]
Demographics and population
The governorate has a population of about 375,000 inhabitants (est. 2011).[5] It is the only governorate in Syria that has a Druze majority.[6] There is also a sizable Eastern Orthodox minority, and a small Muslim refugee community from mainly Daraa Governorate as well as other parts of Syria.[7]
In the 1980s Druze made up 87.6% of the population, Christians (mostly Greek Orthodox) 11% and Sunni Muslims 2%.[8] In 2010, the As-Suwayda governorate has a population of about 375,000 inhabitants, Druze made up 90%, Christians 7% and Sunni Muslims 3%.[3] Due to low birth and high emigration rates, Christians proportion in As-Suwayda had declined.[3]
Most of the inhabitants live in the western parts of the governorate, especially on the western slopes of Jabal ad-Duruz. Only nomadic Bedouin tribes live in the barren region of Harrat al-Shamah.
Government
The Drize majority government has leant towards a semi independent status, with a lot of its history rejecting central Syrian government. During the Assad period, the Suewieda Government was largely free of serious conflict. However, during this period there was regular passive resistance to Assad's rule, with constant public protests [9][10]with the people there closing the Baath party offices and removing Assad's posters on public, though this never escalated to armed revolution.[11]
SimiliaryAttacks on minorities, in particular Druze peooples, have shaken confidence in the post Assad Government [12]
Districts
The governorate is divided into three districts (manatiq). The districts are further divided into 12 sub-districts (nawahi):
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Cities, towns and villages
The governorate contains 3 cities, 124 towns/villages, and 36 hamlets.[5]
Cities
Villages
- Shaqqa
- Al-Ajailat
- Al-Ghariyah
- Al-Kefr
- Al-Qurayya
- Ariqah
- Ar-Raha
- Braiki
- Dair Allaban
- Dama
- Hobran
- Kafr Alluhuf
- Lahetha
- Msad
- Murduk
- Qanawat
- Rimet Alluhuf
- Rimet Hazem
- Samma Al-baradan
- Samma Al-hanidat
- Shaniri
- Shbeki
- Walgha
See also
References
- ^ Suwaida, Diaa al-Sahnawi ــ (28 February 2025). "Suweida Military Council - what does it want and who is behind it?". The New Arab. Retrieved 8 March 2025.
- ^ "Rebel factions in southern Syria – Southern Operations Room (SOR)". Alma Research and Education Center. 19 December 2024. Retrieved 8 March 2025.
- ^ a b c d Balanche, Fabrice. "The Druze and Assad: Strategic Bedfellows | The Washington Institute". The Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Retrieved 2025-02-01.
- ^ Balanche, Fabrice (2017). Atlas of the Near East: State Formation and the Arab-Israeli Conflict, 1918–2010. Brill. p. 27. ISBN 9789004345188.
...comprised 50,328 inhabitants, of whom 85 per cent were Druze, and it integrated Christian communities (7,000 people) who had long lived in these mountains in harmony with the Druze.
- ^ a b Statistics from "المكتب المركزي للاحصاء". Archived from the original on 2007-03-29. Retrieved 2007-04-05.
- ^ Country Data Page on Syria
- ^ Shahba provides refuge for displaced Syrians Archived 2014-04-13 at the Wayback Machine. 28 September 2012.
- ^ Pipes, Daniel (1990). Greater Syria: The History of an Ambition. Oxford University Press. p. 151. ISBN 978-0-19-506021-8.
- ^ "The Sweida Issue: A Dilemma for the Syrian Regime in Southern Syria". "CSIORS: Insights & Analysis of Middle East Complexities". Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ Edwards, Madeline (2025-01-02). "Joy and Trepidation Among Syria's Druze". New Lines Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ Dagres, Holly (2023-09-05). "The uprising in Sweida will continue until the regime changes in Syria". Atlantic Council. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ Salhani, Justin. "Syria's Druze divided as sectarian tensions linger after violence". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2025-06-25.