An anti-Assad demonstration in Suweida, Syria, on June 9, 2020. AFP via Suwayda24
An anti-Assad demonstration in Suweida, Syria, on June 9, 2020. AFP via Suwayda24
An anti-Assad demonstration in Suweida, Syria, on June 9, 2020. AFP via Suwayda24
An anti-Assad demonstration in Suweida, Syria, on June 9, 2020. AFP via Suwayda24

Syria’s economic crisis strains minority support for Bashar Al Assad


Khaled Yacoub Oweis
  • English
  • Arabic

Days before the anti-regime protests that sparked Syria’s civil war broke out in the country’s south in March 2011, President Bashar Al Assad drove to the region unannounced.

He visited several towns and villages in what state media described as a gesture of concern about living conditions, which had worsened as a result of soaring prices and bad harvests. But the president toured only Christian and Druze areas.

The demonstrations started in Deraa, the main city in the province of the same name and the region’s urban and farming centre, dominated by Syria’s Sunni majority.

Although the protests spread to parts of neighbouring Suweida, a mostly Druze province, the regime suppressed these in less violent and punitive ways than it had in Deraa.

But new protests in Suweida this week, and signs of discontent in the heartland of Mr Assad’s Alawite sect, indicate that his regime’s policy of co-opting minorities may have reached its limits in the face of a severe economic decline after more than a decade of conflict.

Plans for widespread reconstruction of war-damaged areas remain on paper, although the UN has poured billions of dollars into regime areas in recent years to restore schools, clinics, sanitation and even markets, as well as for technical training for government personnel.

Perks and concessions

Alone among Syria’s minority groups, the Druze of Suweida have a de facto waiver of mandatory military conscription. The regime has not punished young Druze men who failed to sign up, nor does it force boys of conscription age to do so.

It is a significant reprieve for the tiny community, which comprised about 3 per cent of Syria’s 20 million population in 2010, the last year reliable statistics were available.

But thousands of young Druze have joined militias the regime began to create in Suweida in 2012. The regime portrayed these forces as bulwark against Sunnis in Deraa – with whom there are historic and violent disputes over land – but they also serve as a counter to anti-regime Druze clans who have quietly armed themselves.

Other regime incentives for loyalty, such as pay rises, have become less valuable than before because of soaring inflation. And no one is spared the severe shortages of electricity and fuel.

Suweida residents stage an anti-Assad march on June 9, 2020. After more than a week of protests, pro-regime forces reacted by making arrests on June 14. AFP
Suweida residents stage an anti-Assad march on June 9, 2020. After more than a week of protests, pro-regime forces reacted by making arrests on June 14. AFP

Residents of the province said groups of mostly young people took to the streets for a fifth day on Thursday to complain about poverty and corruption, although their numbers dropped sharply with an increased presence of state security.

Local officials “sent messages reminding Suweida that we already don’t serve in the army and that we practically have self-administration”, said a resident who asked not to be identified.

“The society in Suweida is finely balanced and the regime knows how to play on this,” he said.

Similar demonstrations occurred in the region last year after another sharp drop in the value of the Syrian pound. Security forces arrested about 20 young people, most of whom were released.

Syria's food crisis deepens as bread prices double - in pictures

Core loyalists

In a veiled reference to Suweida, Bouthaina Shaaban, an adviser to the president, wrote in the loyalist Al-Watan newspaper this week that street protests were intended to destabilise Syria and “had nothing to do with improving living conditions”.

In reference to Islamist militancy, she warned of a “fifth column” aiming to undermine the fight against “the mightiest terrorist forces in the world”.

Even before the civil war, the regime portrayed itself as a bulwark against Sunni extremist groups such as Al Qaeda. The rise of ISIS helped it drive home the message, particularly among Syria’s minority communities.

But the regime’s crushing of the armed Sunni opposition in the civil war, with help from Iran and Russia, has undermined its arguments because the supposed enemy has been all but wiped out, said Jihad Yazigi, the editor of Syria Report, an economic and business newsletter based in Beirut.

“The Sunnis are traumatised by the regime and know that the regime can do what it wants with them if they protest again,” he said.

He said the waning of the perceived Sunni threat had turned the focus to the economy, but Mr Assad “continues to show total lack of interest in reviving it”.

Street protests like those in Suweida would be politically significant only if they spread to Alawite regions, Mr Yazigi said.

“The regime still has the money to satisfy its core loyalist fighting units,” he said.

This core continues to be drawn from the Alawite heartland on the Mediterranean coast.

In the past few weeks there has been rare public defiance of Mr Assad among the Alawite community.

In the Ismaili and Alawite town of Masyaf, a mob ransacked a communications centre belonging to an internet company linked to the president’s wife. An Alawite journalist in the coastal province of Tartus, Kenan Wakkaf, mocked Mr Assad on Facebook for ignoring mass discontent over the economy, and has since gone into hiding.

Fragility under the surface

When Mr Assad drove to the south in 2011, with his wife, Asma, in the passenger seat, the Syrian pound was trading at 50 to the dollar.

Syria’s per capita income was $2,500, on par with Egypt. The state made several billion dollars a year from selling oil and there was some foreign investment, mostly in property.

The Syrian pound now trades at about 3,500 to the dollar and most of the country’s oilfields are with Kurdish militia. The latest World Bank data shows per capita income at $1,334 in 2019.

A senior European diplomat said Mr Assad may be ignoring the economy because “hard power repression is still stronger than the popular resentment, grievances, frustrations and protest”.

“He is leaving leeway on Suweida because it is a minority community. But the economy is getting so much worse,” the diplomat said.

“It is a very fragile peace. We cannot exclude that at some point it might implode.”

Other workplace saving schemes
  • The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
  • Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
  • National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
  • In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
  • Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Results:

6.30pm: Handicap | US$135,000 (Dirt) | 1,400 metres

Winner: Rodaini, Connor Beasley (jockey), Ahmad bin Harmash (trainer)

7.05pm: Handicap | $135,000 (Turf) | 1,200m

Winner: Ekhtiyaar, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson

7.40pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes | Group 3 | $200,000 (T) | 2,000m

Winner: Spotify, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby

8.15pm: UAE Oakes | Group 3 | $250,000 (D) | 1,900m

Winner: Divine Image, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

8.50pm: Zabeel Mile | Group 2 | $250,000 (T) | 1,600m

Winner: Mythical Image, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

9.20pm: Handicap | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m

Winner: Major Partnership, Kevin Stott, Saeed bin Suroor

THE BIO

Favourite book: ‘Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren

Favourite travel destination: Switzerland

Hobbies: Travelling and following motivational speeches and speakers

Favourite place in UAE: Dubai Museum

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UK's plans to cut net migration

Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.

Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.

But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.

Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.

Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.

The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.

RACE CARD

4pm Al Bastakiya – Listed (TB) $150,000 (Dirt) 1,900m

4.35pm Dubai City Of Gold – Group 2 (TB) $228,000 (Turf) 2,410m

5.10pm Mahab Al Shimaal – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (D) 1,200m

5.45pm Burj Nahaar – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (D) 1,600m

6.20pm Jebel Hatta – Group 1 (TB) $260,000 (T) 1,800m

6.55pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 – Group 1 (TB) $390,000 (D) 2,000m

7.30pm Nad Al Sheba – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (T) 1,200m

The Details

Kabir Singh

Produced by: Cinestaan Studios, T-Series

Directed by: Sandeep Reddy Vanga

Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Kiara Advani, Suresh Oberoi, Soham Majumdar, Arjun Pahwa

Rating: 2.5/5 

Company profile

Name: Steppi

Founders: Joe Franklin and Milos Savic

Launched: February 2020

Size: 10,000 users by the end of July and a goal of 200,000 users by the end of the year

Employees: Five

Based: Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai

Financing stage: Two seed rounds – the first sourced from angel investors and the founders' personal savings

Second round raised Dh720,000 from silent investors in June this year

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Mercedes V250 Avantgarde specs

Engine: 2.0-litre in-line four-cylinder turbo

Gearbox: 7-speed automatic

Power: 211hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 350Nm

Fuel economy, combined: 6.0 l/100 km

Price: Dh235,000

T20 World Cup Qualifier, Muscat

UAE FIXTURES

Friday February 18: v Ireland

Saturday February 19: v Germany

Monday February 21: v Philippines

Tuesday February 22: semi-finals

Thursday February 24: final 

Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

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List of alleged parties

 May 15 2020: PM and Carrie attend 'work meeting' with at
least 17 staff members

May 20 2020: PM and Carrie attend 'bring your own booze'
party

Nov 27 2020: PM gives speech at leaving do for his staff

Dec 10 2020: Staff party held by then-education secretary
Gavin Williamson

Dec 13 2020: PM and Carrie throw a flat party

Dec 14 2020: London mayor candidate Shaun Bailey holds staff party at Conservative
Party headquarters

Dec 15 2020: PM takes part in a staff quiz

Dec 18 2020: Downing Street Christmas party

TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:

- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools

- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say

- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance

- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs

- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills

- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month

- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues

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Updated: February 14, 2022, 11:24 AM