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Daraa Elders Request Recognition of March 18 as a National Day to Celebrate the Anniversary of the Syrian Revolution's Outbreak
A delegation of dignitaries and notables from the city of Daraa in southern Syria has called for the recognition of March 18 as a national day during a meeting with Governor Anwar al-Zoubi. The delegation explained that this date holds significant importance for the people of Daraa, as it marks the beginning of the mass protests that rejected the Assad regime, during which the first fatality among the protesters occurred at the hands of security forces.
Governor al-Zoubi confirmed that he would convey these demands to the Syrian presidency for consideration. These calls come at a time when residents of Daraa and the surrounding areas seek to create a new national narrative that reflects their sacrifices and suffering during the long years of conflict.
On another front, activists and residents of Daraa have expressed their opposition to commemorating the anniversary of the revolution on March 15, the date of the first anti-regime protest in the capital, Damascus, in 2011. They emphasized that the demonstration that took place in Daraa on March 18 was the bloodiest, resulting in the death of child Hamza al-Khateeb, which ignited the flame of revolution across the country.
In recent years, the events of March 18 have garnered special attention from the local community, as they view it as a pivotal moment in the history of the Syrian revolution. They are calling for formal recognition of this date to honor the memory of the martyrs of that night.
These demands coincide with a state of tension and anticipation in the region, as many in Daraa aim to reinforce a national identity rooted in freedom of expression and the defense of human rights, amidst efforts to restore normalcy and tranquility to the war-torn city.
