On 25 September, activists launched the “Daxuyaniya Ard” (Flour Declaration) campaign on digital media. The campaign conveyed the message that the Syrian people stand in solidarity with the people of Suwayda. It drew attention to the hardships caused by the lack of flour, which is essential for making bread and food. Activists stressed that the Interim Government has been preventing wheat from reaching Suwayda.
Through the campaign, activists aim to pressure the Syrian Interim Government to allow flour into the region more easily and to resume distribution to towns and villages.
Historical link
This campaign recalls the protests initiated by the people of Daraa in April 2011, at the start of the Syrian crisis, which aimed to break the regime’s blockade of the city.
The “Daxuyaniya Ard” campaign was launched by Daraa activist Majid Ebazid and quickly gained traction on digital media. Many activists expressed support by saying “I sign.”
From Daraa to Suwayda
The campaign refers to the “Daxuyaniya Shir” (Milk Declaration) written in 2011 against the regime’s siege of Daraa. A young man from Daraa wrote: “As someone who witnessed the Assad regime’s siege of Daraa in April 2011, today I write the ‘Flour Declaration’ in solidarity with the people of Suwayda. My inspiration comes from the ‘Milk Declaration’ written 14 years ago by Suwayda’s Rima Fleihan, which demanded the lifting of the siege on Daraa.”
The statement also recalled the principles of the March 18 Revolution, emphasizing resistance against oppression, refusal to submit to hunger and blockade, and insisting that human dignity and the right to life can never be used as blackmail by any authority.
“The Second Milk Declaration”
This text, dubbed “The Second Milk Declaration” by activists, quickly turned into a campaign. Activists are sharing it on their own pages, adding symbolic signatures to show support.
Humanitarian crisis in Suwayda
Suwayda is currently facing a severe humanitarian crisis. Due to the shortage of flour, bread has not been available for four days. The blockade has been in place since July, after an attack on rural Sweida by forces of the Interim Government and allied armed groups.