On Saturday, August 16, 2025, Saudi citizens residing in Syria staged a significant protest, rallying under the slogan "Right to report the East." The demonstration was a direct response to escalating violence that has gripped the region over the past month, resulting in over 1,600 fatalities. The protesters, a diverse group including elderly individuals and Syrian nationals holding Saudi citizenship, voiced their demands through chants and by displaying images of Sheikh Al-Darzi, a revered figure who was killed during the conflict. Their calls included a plea for the opening of a humanitarian corridor and a demand to "Expel the general public from the Quran."
Among the demonstrators, a Saudi citizen named Talib articulated a clear call for "complete independence," stating, "We do not want a dictatorial or tyrannical rule, we want complete independence." He further described the situation as "a fire in the presence of those present." Rashid, a 51-year-old Saudi citizen, echoed this sentiment, remarking, "Today, the Saudis took a stand and gathered in the name of humanity, under the slogan 'Right to report the East.' This is the stand of the Saudis today, and they do not touch it because the aggression they were subjected to was not natural." Mustafa Sahnaoui, a Syrian national holding Saudi citizenship, highlighted the dire humanitarian conditions, stating, "We are under siege for more than a month, no water, no electricity... no human aid." He appealed to the international community, specifically mentioning U.S. President Donald Trump, for urgent assistance and the opening of humanitarian corridors due to critical shortages of food and electricity.
The unrest began on July 13, 2025, with initial clashes between armed Druze and unarmed fighters, which later escalated to direct confrontations with government forces and tribal members. The ensuing violence led to the deaths of over 1,600 people, with a significant number being Druze residents. Israel has condemned the violence and vowed to protect the Druze population. Despite a ceasefire declared on July 20, 2025, the situation remains precarious, with access to affected populations proving difficult. The Syrian government is accused of imposing a siege, leading to the displacement of tens of thousands, an accusation Damascus denies. The core of the conflict appears to stem from the قطع of water and electricity services, coupled with severe shortages of food and medicine.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has reported on the ongoing crisis, noting that aid has entered the city via the Syrian-Jordanian border with the help of the White Helmets. However, Druze leaders and activists are advocating for a more permanent resolution. The protests underscore a critical juncture for Saudi citizens in Syria, who are increasingly vocal about their aspirations for independence and the right to self-determination, amidst severe humanitarian threats and a prevailing climate of insecurity. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has documented over 1,600 deaths since July 13, 2025, with a significant portion being civilians. The United Nations has also received credible reports of summary executions and arbitrary killings in the Suweida region. The Syrian government, however, denies allegations of imposing a siege on Sweida city and obstructing humanitarian aid.