ROCHELLE JUNIOR

Sweida-The attacks of the armed groups backed by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in Syria's Druze-majority province of Sweida continue.

Women of Sweida seek new solutions to end rights violations and war crimes committed in Syria. They propose a federal system as a solution to preserve diversity and restore balance in the country. “Federal system is not a political luxury but a necessity for survival,” they told NuJINHA.

‘Federation gives every society the right to preserve its identity’

“In my opinion, federation is not only a form of government but a practical solution against corruption, to ensure social justice and a mechanism for fair distribution of resources,” said Nabiha Ferac, a woman holding a PhD degree in literary criticism in Sweida. “A federal system allows local authorities to manage their own affairs by working in harmony with the central government. Federation gives every society the right to preserve its identity.”

‘Federalism is not separatism’

Nabiha Ferac criticized those who think that federation means “separatism”. “Some media outlets and people spread false information claiming that federation means separatism. Many developed countries have federal systems. Thanks to this system, they ensure peace, justice and stability. In a federal system, each community has the right to preserve its identity, culture and language. As the Druze community, we have our own religious and cultural identity.”

Nabiha Ferac believes that federal systems succeed where centralized systems fail. “We propose this system as a solution because armed groups have carried out systematic and brutal attacks against us.”

‘A matter of existence’

Ensaf Abdülbaki, a retired teacher in Sweida, recalled that they were subjected to unprecedented attacks by armed groups of ISIS and Al Qaeda on July 13 and said:

“Militias led by Jolani attacked us because we are a community having a different religious identity. Therefore, federation is a matter of existence for us. We always are proud of our Syrian identity and have lived in peace with other communities for centuries. However, inhuman attacks have been recently carried out against us.”

‘We have the right to defend ourselves’

Ensaf Abdülbaki told us that the Druze have the right to defend themselves. “We are wounded but not alone. The Arab people and people all around the world stand with us. We have lost our children; our houses have been burned down and a blockage on food, medicine and fuel has been imposed on us. But we never give up. Women in Jabal al-Arab took up arms to defend their home. Women are at the frontline of the defense.”

The Druze people always dream of a united Syria, said Reyma Azam, another woman in Sweida. “We expected the government to protect our city; however, it kept silent.”

Reyma Azam called on the international community not to “remain silent against the attacks on us. Although we did not attack anyone, we were attacked. Our demand for federation does not mean that we demand separation. We demand a federal system to protect our dignity and build security. We want a fair federal government because we need a system that protects us.”