A week of protest in Druze city of Suweida in south-west Syria - in pictures

  • Druze-led protests have been taking place all week in Suweida in Syria. Reuters
    Druze-led protests have been taking place all week in Suweida in Syria. Reuters
  • The unrest started on Sunday, days after a sharp rise in the price of fuel. Reuters
    The unrest started on Sunday, days after a sharp rise in the price of fuel. Reuters
  • The unrest is the most sustained opposition street rally in the area for eight years. AFP
    The unrest is the most sustained opposition street rally in the area for eight years. AFP
  • Solidarity with the anti-government movement in Suweida, at the Druze village of Qalb Loze, Idlib, north-western Syria. EPA
    Solidarity with the anti-government movement in Suweida, at the Druze village of Qalb Loze, Idlib, north-western Syria. EPA
  • Demonstrators resurrected chants that featured in the 2011 revolt against President Bashar Al Assad on Thursday. EPA
    Demonstrators resurrected chants that featured in the 2011 revolt against President Bashar Al Assad on Thursday. EPA
  • Up to 2,000 people gathered on Wednesday at the main square in the provincial capital of Suweida, a sharp increase from previous days. Photo: Suwayda24
    Up to 2,000 people gathered on Wednesday at the main square in the provincial capital of Suweida, a sharp increase from previous days. Photo: Suwayda24
  • 'The head of Assad for the blood of Balous,' shouted demonstrators seen in video footage, with women among them. Photo: Suwayda24
    'The head of Assad for the blood of Balous,' shouted demonstrators seen in video footage, with women among them. Photo: Suwayda24
  • They were referring to Sheikh Wahid Al Balous, a prominent Druze leader who formed a powerful militia, called Men of Dignity, and died in a car bombing in Suweida in 2015. Photo: Suwayda24
    They were referring to Sheikh Wahid Al Balous, a prominent Druze leader who formed a powerful militia, called Men of Dignity, and died in a car bombing in Suweida in 2015. Photo: Suwayda24
  • People shouted 'Bashar out, out. Syria is free'. Photo: Suwayda24
    People shouted 'Bashar out, out. Syria is free'. Photo: Suwayda24
  • Young Druze men cut off some roads during the protests. Photo: Suwayda24
    Young Druze men cut off some roads during the protests. Photo: Suwayda24
  • A balance of power has suspended Suweida between pro and anti-regime militias since the Druze started arming in the past decade. Photo: Suwayda24
    A balance of power has suspended Suweida between pro and anti-regime militias since the Druze started arming in the past decade. Photo: Suwayda24
  • Dire economic conditions and a collapsing Syrian pound have compromised Mr Al Assad's drive to consolidate power in Suweida and the rest of the country. Photo: Suwayda24
    Dire economic conditions and a collapsing Syrian pound have compromised Mr Al Assad's drive to consolidate power in Suweida and the rest of the country. Photo: Suwayda24