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The National
18-07-2025
- Politics
- The National
'We fear we're next': Druze in Damascus lock doors after fighting in Syria's south
In Jaramana, the largest Druze -majority district of Damascus, fear has taken root. Shops once buzzing with late-night customers now close before sundown. Streets grow silent after dark. Behind closed doors, families speak in hushed tones, watching videos from Sweida on repeat – scenes of charred homes, collapsing hospitals, and bodies pulled from the rubble. A ceasefire may have halted the gunfire in Syria 's south, but the dread is still spreading north. 'We don't trust this quiet,' said Khaldoun, a 35-year-old mechanic. 'After what happened in Sweida, we're locking our doors earlier. We hear rumours that more militia groups are coming. We've seen how fast things can change.' Last week's brutal assault on Sweida, one of Syria's last remaining Druze strongholds, left more than 500 people dead – among them fighters from both sides, women, children, and civilians. Entire neighbourhoods were stormed by tribal militias and pro-government fighters. Mortar shells struck residential blocks, and water tanks were reportedly poisoned by attackings groups. The main hospital was overwhelmed and partially destroyed, unable to treat the wounded or store the dead as electricity and refrigeration failed. Witnesses described the city as a war zone, with bodies left to rot in the streets and entire families missing. Bassel, a 24-year-old medical student from Sweida now living in Damascus, told The National: 'Who are we supposed to mourn first? The numbers are too large to comprehend. 'The bodies of our people, our families, our friends … scattered everywhere. The world moved on while we drowned in blood, buried under attack. We won't forgive. No one should stay silent in the face of injustice.' For the Druze of Jaramana, the aftermath is more psychological than physical – but no less traumatic. Known for its complex relationship with the Syrian state, Jaramana is home to thousands of people originally from Sweida. The ties between the two communities are social, religious and deeply personal. So when Sweida burnt, Jaramana felt the heat. 'There is no doubt that the escalation in Sweida will have consequences here,' said Salman Katbeh, a political activist in Jaramana. 'Our priority was to prevent the unrest from spilling over. We didn't want a bloodbath. Community elders worked hard to keep things calm, especially with the younger generation. But we're all walking a tightrope.' As rumours of retribution swirl, local leaders in Jaramana have tried to prevent provocations. 'There were protests,' Mr Katbeh said. 'The Syrian flag was taken down temporarily, but then put back up. You can't stop people from reacting emotionally – you can only try to keep it under control.' In private, the fears are more specific. 'If some groups can't go fight Israel,' Mr Katbeh continued, 'they might turn their guns on us instead. We reject the idea that Israel's strikes were somehow 'because of the Druze.' That kind of narrative is dangerous and false.' On Tuesday night, Israel bombed several sites around Damascus, killing at least 15 pro-government personnel and levelling parts of the Ministry of Defence. The strikes added another layer of complexity to an already combustible situation. As missiles lit up the sky, residents in Jaramana huddled indoors – uncertain whether the war outside was coming home. 'It's like we're surrounded,' Bassel said. 'From the sky, from the ground, even from our neighbours. When Israel bombs us, we expect fear. But now we fear our own.' The Syrian government's response has been cautious. President Ahmad Al Shara addressed the nation on Thursday, insisting the Druze remain 'an integral part of Syria's social fabric' and rejecting any notion of separatism. Mr Al Shara said the state had delegated the task of securing Sweida to local factions and religious leaders – a decision he described as a 'national safeguard' to avoid wider conflict. But in Jaramana, those reassurances ring hollow. 'The damage is already done,' said one Druze resident, who asked to remain anonymous. 'We no longer know who to trust – the army, the militias, the neighbours. If Sweida was punished for being neutral, what does that mean for us?.' Druze boycott Economic warfare has followed the physical violence. A coalition of Damascus-based merchants aligned with pro-government circles announced a full boycott of Sweida, accusing its people of treason and collusion with Israel. Hawala networks were severed, money transfers frozen, and Druze merchants blacklisted from city markets. According to Syria analyst Aymenn Tamimi from the Middle East Forum, the fallout reflects something deeper and more systemic. 'The events in Sweida have sent shock waves through Syria's Druze population,' he told The National. 'What we're seeing now is a mix of political retribution, localised power struggles, and weaponised sectarianism. The Druze in Damascus are especially vulnerable – not just physically, but socially. They've lived in a delicate balance, but that balance is eroding quickly.' Over 100 bodies remain unburied or unidentified in Sweida. The main hospital is barely functional, its medical staff running on no sleep, with no space in morgues and no supplies left. Thousands remain displaced. And as tension simmers, the fear of further escalation hangs over Druze communities like a cloud that refuses to lift. And while political actors debate responsibility, people in Jaramana are preparing for the worst. In the end, these are not isolated tragedies – they are cries from a country at war with itself, the Druze of Damascus brace for what they pray won't come next.
Kuwait Times
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
Syrians chase equestrian glory in sport once dominated by Assads
For weeks, Ziad Abu Al-Dahab has been training for gold at an equestrian tournament near Damascus - in a sport once dominated by Syria's Assad family and their inner circle. 'Results used to be decided in advance, always favoring those close to the government,' the 25-year-old rider said. 'My greatest ambition was to reach third place, but today, I can aim for first and do well with my new horse.' For decades, former president Bashar al-Assad, his relatives and allies enjoyed wide-ranging privileges before his overthrow in a lightning Islamist-led offensive in December. Equestrian sports surged in the 1990s under Assad's late brother Bassel, who was being groomed to succeed their father Hafez before dying in a car crash in 1994. Bashar took over and became president in 2000. Bassel used to take part in tournaments at home and abroad and styled himself as Syria's 'first rider'. His profile helped shine a spotlight on the sport, which came to symbolize elite status under the Assads. Abu Al-Dahab said those close to the family had European horses, which far outperformed the local ones of other competitors. 'It was impossible to compete with the ruling family,' he said while walking his horse on the sand. The head of an equestrian statue of Bassel Al-Assad, the eldest son of late Syrian president Hafez Al-Assad who was killed in a car crash in 1994, is wrapped in a Syrian flag, outside the Central Equestrian Club in Dimas, northwest of Damascus. A woman trains with her horse before taking part in the fourth Al-Nasr Equestrian Show Jumping Championship at the Central Equestrian Club in Dimas, northwest of Damascus. A horse rider competes during the fourth Al-Nasr Equestrian Show Jumping Championship. A young horse rider competes during the fourth Al-Nasr Equestrian Show Jumping Championship. Impossible competition Outside the Dimas equestrian club near Damascus, a statue of Bassel still stands, his face now hidden by the new Syrian flag. The family's grip on the sport passed to the next generation, including Sham, daughter of Bashar's brother Maher. Sham used to compete in Syria and at international tournaments, often placing high. The attention she received in the media stirred controversy, with critics seeing it as propaganda. That grip on the sport kept some away. Munana Shaker, 26, said her father banned her from competing until the Assads were gone. 'My father forbade me from practicing due to fear (of the ruling family), and he always told me that competition with them was impossible,' she said as she stroked her white mare, Mariana. 'He didn't want us associating with the Assad family at all. He told me the story of the equestrian who was jailed after beating Bassel al-Assad, and did not want to put me in danger.' She was referring to Adnan Qassar, a prominent rider who outperformed Bassel before being imprisoned without trial in 1993, accused of plotting to kill him. Many believe his sporting success was the real reason for his arrest. Qassar was freed 21 years later under a presidential pardon. 'I have long stayed away from this sport, but it is now time to come back strong. I am from the Shaker family, not the Assad family,' she said. 'Dream come true' Shadi Abu al-Dahab, 48, oversees about 240 horses - including some of the Assads' former European ones. 'Around 40 horses were set aside for the Assad family. No one else was allowed to get near them,' he said. But today, he's seeing new faces and growing interest in the sport. 'We have new skills that we discover daily, and enthusiastic children... We now have a large number of riders aspiring to compete and get titles,' he said. Fellow trainer Salah al-Ahmad, 52, was beaming as his son took the mare Topsy for a spin - once ridden by Sham al-Assad. 'He used to dream of touching her or patting her head,' Ahmad said. 'Now in this new era, the mare is with him, and he has won two tournaments. 'It's a dream come true.' — AFP
Asharq Al-Awsat
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Syrians Chase Equestrian Glory in Sport Once Dominated by Assads
For weeks, Ziad Abu al-Dahab has been training for gold at an equestrian tournament near Damascus -- in a sport once dominated by Syria's Assad family and their inner circle. "Results used to be decided in advance, always favoring those close to the government," the 25-year-old rider said. "My greatest ambition was to reach third place, but today, I can aim for first and do well with my new horse." For decades, former president Bashar al-Assad, his relatives and allies enjoyed wide-ranging privileges before his overthrow in a lightning offensive in December. Equestrian sports surged in the 1990s under Assad's late brother Bassel, who was being groomed to succeed their father Hafez before dying in a car crash in 1994. Bashar took over and became president in 2000. Bassel used to take part in tournaments at home and abroad and styled himself as Syria's "first rider". His profile helped shine a spotlight on the sport, which came to symbolize elite status under the Assads. Abu al-Dahab said those close to the family had European horses, which far outperformed the local ones of other competitors. "It was impossible to compete with the ruling family," he said while walking his horse on the sand. Impossible competition Outside the Dimas equestrian club near Damascus, a statue of Bassel still stands, his face now hidden by the new Syrian flag. The family's grip on the sport passed to the next generation, including Sham, daughter of Bashar's brother Maher. Sham used to compete in Syria and at international tournaments, often placing high. The attention she received in the media stirred controversy, with critics seeing it as propaganda. That grip on the sport kept some away. Munana Shaker, 26, said her father banned her from competing until the Assads were gone. "My father forbade me from practicing due to fear (of the ruling family), and he always told me that competition with them was impossible," she said as she stroked her white mare, Mariana. "He didn't want us associating with the Assad family at all. He told me the story of the equestrian who was jailed after beating Bassel al-Assad, and did not want to put me in danger." She was referring to Adnan Qassar, a prominent rider who outperformed Bassel before being imprisoned without trial in 1993, accused of plotting to kill him. Many believe his sporting success was the real reason for his arrest. Qassar was freed 21 years later under a presidential pardon. "I have long stayed away from this sport, but it is now time to come back strong. I am from the Shaker family, not the Assad family," she said. 'Dream come true' Shadi Abu al-Dahab, 48, oversees about 240 horses -- including some of the Assads' former European ones. "Around 40 horses were set aside for the Assad family. No one else was allowed to get near them," he said. But today, he's seeing new faces and growing interest in the sport. "We have new skills that we discover daily, and enthusiastic children... We now have a large number of riders aspiring to compete and get titles," he said. Fellow trainer Salah al-Ahmad, 52, was beaming as his son took the mare Topsy for a spin -- once ridden by Sham al-Assad. "He used to dream of touching her or patting her head," Ahmad said. "Now in this new era, the mare is with him, and he has won two tournaments. "It's a dream come true."
France 24
19-05-2025
- Politics
- France 24
Syrians chase equestrian glory in sport once dominated by Assads
"Results used to be decided in advance, always favouring those close to the government," the 25-year-old rider said. "My greatest ambition was to reach third place, but today, I can aim for first and do well with my new horse." For decades, former president Bashar al-Assad, his relatives and allies enjoyed wide-ranging privileges before his overthrow in a lightning Islamist-led offensive in December. Equestrian sports surged in the 1990s under Assad's late brother Bassel, who was being groomed to succeed their father Hafez before dying in a car crash in 1994. Bashar took over and became president in 2000. Bassel used to take part in tournaments at home and abroad and styled himself as Syria's "first rider". His profile helped shine a spotlight on the sport, which came to symbolise elite status under the Assads. Abu al-Dahab said those close to the family had European horses, which far outperformed the local ones of other competitors. "It was impossible to compete with the ruling family," he said while walking his horse on the sand. Impossible competition Outside the Dimas equestrian club near Damascus, a statue of Bassel still stands, his face now hidden by the new Syrian flag. The family's grip on the sport passed to the next generation, including Sham, daughter of Bashar's brother Maher. Sham used to compete in Syria and at international tournaments, often placing high. The attention she received in the media stirred controversy, with critics seeing it as propaganda. That grip on the sport kept some away. Munana Shaker, 26, said her father banned her from competing until the Assads were gone. "My father forbade me from practising due to fear (of the ruling family), and he always told me that competition with them was impossible," she said as she stroked her white mare, Mariana. "He didn't want us associating with the Assad family at all. He told me the story of the equestrian who was jailed after beating Bassel al-Assad, and did not want to put me in danger." She was referring to Adnan Qassar, a prominent rider who outperformed Bassel before being imprisoned without trial in 1993, accused of plotting to kill him. Many believe his sporting success was the real reason for his arrest. Qassar was freed 21 years later under a presidential pardon. "I have long stayed away from this sport, but it is now time to come back strong. I am from the Shaker family, not the Assad family," she said. 'Dream come true' Shadi Abu al-Dahab, 48, oversees about 240 horses -- including some of the Assads' former European ones. "Around 40 horses were set aside for the Assad family. No one else was allowed to get near them," he said. But today, he's seeing new faces and growing interest in the sport. "We have new skills that we discover daily, and enthusiastic children... We now have a large number of riders aspiring to compete and get titles," he said. Fellow trainer Salah al-Ahmad, 52, was beaming as his son took the mare Topsy for a spin -- once ridden by Sham al-Assad. "He used to dream of touching her or patting her head," Ahmad said. "Now in this new era, the mare is with him, and he has won two tournaments. © 2025 AFP
Int'l Business Times
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
Syrians Chase Equestrian Glory In Sport Once Dominated By Assads
For weeks, Ziad Abu al-Dahab has been training for gold at an equestrian tournament near Damascus -- in a sport once dominated by Syria's Assad family and their inner circle. "Results used to be decided in advance, always favouring those close to the government," the 25-year-old rider said. "My greatest ambition was to reach third place, but today, I can aim for first and do well with my new horse." For decades, former president Bashar al-Assad, his relatives and allies enjoyed wide-ranging privileges before his overthrow in a lightning Islamist-led offensive in December. Equestrian sports surged in the 1990s under Assad's late brother Bassel, who was being groomed to succeed their father Hafez before dying in a car crash in 1994. Bashar took over and became president in 2000. Bassel used to take part in tournaments at home and abroad and styled himself as Syria's "first rider". His profile helped shine a spotlight on the sport, which came to symbolise elite status under the Assads. Abu al-Dahab said those close to the family had European horses, which far outperformed the local ones of other competitors. "It was impossible to compete with the ruling family," he said while walking his horse on the sand. Outside the Dimas equestrian club near Damascus, a statue of Bassel still stands, his face now hidden by the new Syrian flag. The family's grip on the sport passed to the next generation, including Sham, daughter of Bashar's brother Maher. Sham used to compete in Syria and at international tournaments, often placing high. The attention she received in the media stirred controversy, with critics seeing it as propaganda. That grip on the sport kept some away. Munana Shaker, 26, said her father banned her from competing until the Assads were gone. "My father forbade me from practising due to fear (of the ruling family), and he always told me that competition with them was impossible," she said as she stroked her white mare, Mariana. "He didn't want us associating with the Assad family at all. He told me the story of the equestrian who was jailed after beating Bassel al-Assad, and did not want to put me in danger." She was referring to Adnan Qassar, a prominent rider who outperformed Bassel before being imprisoned without trial in 1993, accused of plotting to kill him. Many believe his sporting success was the real reason for his arrest. Qassar was freed 21 years later under a presidential pardon. "I have long stayed away from this sport, but it is now time to come back strong. I am from the Shaker family, not the Assad family," she said. Shadi Abu al-Dahab, 48, oversees about 240 horses -- including some of the Assads' former European ones. "Around 40 horses were set aside for the Assad family. No one else was allowed to get near them," he said. But today, he's seeing new faces and growing interest in the sport. "We have new skills that we discover daily, and enthusiastic children... We now have a large number of riders aspiring to compete and get titles," he said. Fellow trainer Salah al-Ahmad, 52, was beaming as his son took the mare Topsy for a spin -- once ridden by Sham al-Assad. "He used to dream of touching her or patting her head," Ahmad said. "Now in this new era, the mare is with him, and he has won two tournaments. "It's a dream come true." Since the overthrow of Assad, equestrian events in Syria have seen faces and growing interest in the sport AFP A statue of ousted president Bashar al-Assad's late brother, Bassel, still stands outside the Dimas equestrian club near Damascus AFP
