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Suwayda ٱلسُّوَيْدَاء
City
Aerial view of the Suwayda city, October 2011
SuwaydaLocation of Suwayda within SyriaShow map of SyriaSuwaydaSuwayda (Eastern Mediterranean)Show map of Eastern Mediterranean
Coordinates: 32°42′45″N 36°34′00″E / 32.71250°N 36.56667°E / 32.71250; 36.56667
Grid position	296/235
Country	Syria
Governorate	Suwayda
District	Suwayda
Subdistrict	Suwayda
Government
• Governor	Akram Ali Muhammad
Elevation	3,543 ft (1,080 m)
Population
• City	120,000
• Metro	138,822
Demonym(s)	Arabic: سويداوي, romanized: Suwaydāwi
Time zone	UTC+2 (EET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+3 (EEST)
Area code	16
Geocode	C6147
Climate	Csa

Suwayda (Arabic: ٱلسُّوَيْدَاء, romanized: al-Suwaydāʾ), also spelled Sweida, is a mainly Druze city located in southwestern Syria, close to the border with Jordan.

It is the capital of Suwayda Governorate, one of Syria's 14 governorates, bordering Jordan in the South and Daraa Governorate in the West and Rif Dimashq Governorate in the north and east. The city is referred to by some as "Little Venezuela" due to the city's influx of affluent Venezuelan Syrian immigrants.

History

Ancient and Medieval eras

The city was founded by the Nabataeans as Suada. It became known as Dionysias Soada (Ancient Greek: Διονῡσιάς) in the Hellenistic period and the Roman Empire, for the god Dionysus, patron of wine - the city is situated in a famous ancient wine-producing region.

The name Dionysias replaced the former Nabataean name in 149 AD after Nabataean influence decreased and then concentrated towards the south, as a result of the then accelerating Hellenization of Coele-Syria.

Dionysias was a part of the Roman province of Arabia Petraea, and received the rights of civitas during the reign of Commodus between 180 and 185.

Dionysus was worshipped in the same Nabatean temple dedicated to Dushara. This practice of associating the worship of local and Hellenic gods was common in Hellenistic Syria.

This name remained in use during the Byzantine Empire, when the town was under the influence of the Ghassanids. Dionysias then was a diocese with a suffragan bishop from Bosra. It was mentioned in the Synecdemus of Hierocles. After the early Muslim conquests, the city was conquered by the Rashidun Caliphate of the Arabs in 629 and became a titular see.

Yaqut al-Hamawi noted in the 1220s that As Suwaida was "a village of the Hauran Province".

Ottoman era

In 1516, the city and the adjoining region was conquered from the Mamluk Sultanate by the Ottoman Empire. In 1596 Suwayda appeared under the name of Majdal Sawda in the Ottoman tax registers as part of the nahiya (subdistrict) of Bani Nasiyya of the Hauran Sanjak. It had a population of 5 households and 5 bachelors, all Muslim. The villagers paid a fixed tax rate of 20% on various agricultural products, including wheat, barley, summer crops, goats and/or beehives, in addition to "occasional revenues"; a total of 6,125 akçe. 3/4 of the revenue went to a waqf.

In recent times Dionysias was identified as Suwayda by William Waddington.

In the 19th century, visitors recorded the now-destroyed Tomb of Hamrath, an elaborate late Hellenistic mausoleum dating from the 1st century BCE.

Modern era

On 28 October 2012, security forces launched a campaign of mass arrests in the city.

2018 Suwayda attacks

On July 25, 2018, the city was rocked by a string of terrorist attacks. A group of at least 56 ISIS-affiliated attackers entered the city and initiated a series of gunfights and suicide bombings killing 246 people, the vast majority of them civilians. Many of the terrorists were reported killed during the attack, bringing the total death toll to at least 302 people. Forty-two Druze residents between the ages of 7 and 60 were kidnapped by ISIS and held captive. One was executed bringing the total in captivity to 41.

Protests

On 7 June 2020, anti-government protests erupted in the city due to the deteriorating economic situation. Protesters demanded the resignation of President Bashar al-Assad for the first time since 2015. As a result of the protests, Prime Minister Imad Khamis was sacked on 11 June and replaced by Hussein Arnous.

In February 2022, hundreds of protesters took to the streets in Sweida to decry corruption and worsening living standards.

In August 2023, thousands of protestors took to the streets to decry worsening economic conditions and demanding the departure of Syrian President Bashar al Assad.

Southern Syria offensive

During the Southern Syria offensive, Suwayda was captured by the Syrian opposition on 7 December 2024. On December 18, 2024, a delegation of the Syrian transitional government arrived at the city to meet with the spiritual leader of the Druze.

Demographics and population

The inhabitants of the city are mainly Druze with a Greek Orthodox Christian and Sunni Muslim minority.

The population of Suwayda Governorate is 313,231 (2004 census).

Archaeology

Many archeological sites can be found in the old part of the city:

• Temple of Dionysus-Dushara: eight well-decorated columns are still standing from the temple.
• Saint Sergius Basilica: was built in the fifth century. It has Byzantine architectural elements, with an abbey surrounding it. The basilica was dedicated to Sergius.
• The arch of the lesser church: the church itself is ruined. An arch is still standing there known locally as "The Gallows" (Arabic: المشنقة al-Mashnaqah) with grape motif decorations.
• The theater: was recently discovered, south of the Agora.

The city has many ancient reservoirs, towers and old Roman houses that are still inhabited by locals today.

Many parts of the old city still await excavation, such as the Roman aqueduct, a conical reservoir, and a larger Roman theatre. There is also an old 7th century mosque built during the time of the Rashidun Caliphate.

Climate

Suwayda's climate is warm, dry and temperate. There is more rainfall in the winter than in the summer. This location is classified as BSk by Köppen and Geiger. The average temperature is 15.5 °C. About 323 mm of precipitation falls annually.

Notable people

• Najat Abdul Samad, writer, translator, and obstetrician.
• Fahd Ballan, singer, actor.
• Asmahan, singer.

References

1. "<meta HTTP-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/HTML; charset=iso-8859-1"/> NameBright - Coming Soon". www.cbssyr.org. Archived from the original on 16 December 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
2. "الرئيس الأسد يصدر مرسومين بتعيين أربعة محافظين جدد" [President Assad issues two decrees appointing four new governors]. SANA. 12 May 2024. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
3. "President al-Assad issues decrees on appointing new governors for eight Syrian provinces". Syrian Arab News Agency. 20 July 2022. Archived from the original on 20 July 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
4. http://newsfromsyria.com/2009/09/04/hugo-chavez-in-syria/ Archived 2020-10-14 at the Wayback Machine Many of them came from Sweida. So when their descendants returned, they brought back the Spanish language and South American culture. Sweida is little Venezuela.
5. "Do come back". The Economist. ISSN 0013-0613. Archived from the original on 2022-11-20. Retrieved 2022-11-20.
6. Goforth, Sean (2012). Axis of Unity: Venezuela, Iran & the Threat to America. Potomac Books, Inc. p. 193. ISBN 978-1-61234-016-6.
7. "An elderly Syrian man waves Venezuela's flag during a visit by..." Getty Images. Archived from the original on 2017-01-16. Retrieved 2022-11-20.
8. "Catholic Encyclopedia: Dionysias". Newadvent.org. 1909-05-01. Archived from the original on 2000-08-16. Retrieved 2014-06-20.
9. Le Strange, G. (Guy) (1890). Palestine under the Moslems; a description of Syria and the Holy Land from A.D. 650 to 1500. Translated from the works of the mediaeval Arab geographers. Robarts - University of Toronto. London A.P. Watt. p. 540.
10. Hütteroth and Abdulfattah, 1977, p. 218.
11. "4. The Development of Hellenistic Monumental Tombs outside Asia Minor", 4. The Development of Hellenistic Monumental Tombs outside Asia Minor, University of Toronto Press, pp. 148–150, 1990-04-01, doi:10.3138/9781442677340-007, ISBN 978-1-4426-7734-0, retrieved 2024-02-07
12. "At least 30 people killed in clashes, most of them in Damascus". Al Jazeera Blogs. Archived from the original on 25 October 2014. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
13. Deeb, Sarah El (2018-07-26). "IS attack devastates community in southern Syria". CTVNews. Archived from the original on 2022-11-20. Retrieved 2022-11-20.
14. "Islamic State in Syria executes hostage from Sweida attack: media, monitor". Archived from the original on 2018-08-05. Retrieved 2018-08-07.
15. "Protest in southwest Syria against faltering economy, corruption". Al Jazeera. 7 June 2020. Archived from the original on 1 July 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
16. Al-Khalidi, Suleiman (11 June 2020). "Protests hit Druze city in Syria for fourth day". Reuters. Archived from the original on 18 July 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
17. "Syria war: Assad sacks PM as economic crisis sparks protests". BBC News. 11 June 2020. Archived from the original on 17 June 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
18. Chehayeb, Kareem (11 February 2022). "Syria: Sweida protesters decry corruption, poor living standards". Al Jazeera English. Archived from the original on 20 November 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
19. Al-Khalidi, Suleiman (2023-08-25). "Protests hit Druze city in Syria for fifth day". Reuters. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
20. Mroue, Bassem (7 December 2024). "Syrian opposition activists say insurgents have reached the suburbs of Damascus". AP. Beirut. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
21. "Syrian transitional government delegation arrives in Suwayda for meeting with Druze leader: LBCI reports". LBCIV7. Retrieved 2024-12-18.
22. "World-wide Agroclimatic Data of FAO (FAOCLIM)". Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations. Retrieved 20 December 2024.

Bibliography

• Hütteroth, W.-D.; Abdulfattah, K. (1977). Historical Geography of Palestine, Transjordan and Southern Syria in the Late 16th Century. Erlanger Geographische Arbeiten, Sonderband 5. Erlangen, Germany: Vorstand der Fränkischen Geographischen Gesellschaft. ISBN 3-920405-41-2.
• Le Strange, G. (1890). Palestine Under the Moslems: A Description of Syria and the Holy Land from A.D. 650 to 1500. Committee of the Palestine Exploration Fund.

External links

• Map of the town, Google Maps

v t e Cities and towns of Syria
Governorate centres	Aleppo Damascus Daraa Deir ez-Zor Hama al-Hasakah Homs Idlib Latakia Quneitra Raqqa Rif Dimashq Suwayda Tartus
District centres	Abu Kamal Afrin Ariha Atarib Ayn al-Arab Azaz al-Bab Baniyas Darayya Dayr Hafir Douma Duraykish Fiq al-Haffah Harem Izra' Jableh Jarabulus Jisr ash-Shughur Maarat al-Numaan al-Malikiyah Manbij Masyaf Mayadin Mhardeh al-Mukharram al-Foqani an-Nabk Palmyra Qamishli Qardaha Qatana Qudsaya al-Qusayr al-Qutayfah Ra's al-'Ayn al-Rastan as-Safira Safita Salamiyah Salkhad al-Sanamayn Shahba ash-Shaykh Badr al-Suqaylabiyah Talkalakh al-Tall Tell Abyad al-Thawrah Yabroud Zabadani
Sub-district centres	Abu Qilqil Abu al-Thuhur Akhtarin Amuda Arbeen Arima al-Ariqah al-Arishah Armanaz Arwad al-Asharah Assal al-Ward Awj Ayn al-Fijah Ayn Halaqim Ayn Issa Ayn al-Nasr Babbila Banan Barri Sharqi Beit Jinn Binnish Bir al-Helou Bosra Bulbul Busayrah Da'el al-Dana Darat Izza Darkush al-Darbasiyah Deir Atiyah al-Dimas al-Dumayr Furqlus Ghabaghib Ghandoura al-Ghariyah al-Ghizlaniyah al-Hader Hadidah al-Hajar al-Aswad al-Hajib Hajin al-Hamidiyah al-Hamraa Harasta Harbnafsah Harran al-Awamid al-Hirak Hish Hisyah al-Hawl Huraytan al-Huwash Ibbin Samaan Ihsim Jayrud al-Jalaa al-Janudiyah Jaramana al-Jarniyah Jasim al-Jawadiyah Jubb al-Jarrah Jubb Ramlah Jindires al-Jiza al-Qabu Kafr Batna Kafr Nabl Kafr Takharim Kafr Zita al-Karamah al-Kasrah Kessab al-Khafsah Khan Shaykhun Khasham Kirnaz Kuwayris Sharqi Khanaser Khirbet Ghazaleh Khirbet al-Tin Mahmoud al-Kiswah Ma'arrat Misrin Maabatli Maadan Maaloula Madaya Mahin Malah al-Malihah al-Mansurah Mare' Markada Mashta al-Helu Maskanah al-Masmiyah al-Mazraa Muhambal Muhasan al-Musayfirah al-Mushannaf Muzayrib al-Nashabiyah al-Nasirah Nawa Nubl al-Qadmus al-Qahtaniyah Qalaat al-Madiq Qarah al-Qaryatayn al-Qurayya Qurqania Rajo Rankus Rasm Harmil al-Imam al-Rai al-Riqama al-Ruhaybah al-Saan Saasaa Sabburah al-Sabe' Biyar al-Sabkhah Sadad Sahnaya Saidnaya Salqin Saraqib Sarmin Sarrin Sawran Sebei al-Shaddadah al-Shajara Shaqqa Sharran Shathah Shaykh al-Hadid al-Shaykh Maskin Shayukh Tahtani Shin Sinjar Sirghaya Slinfah Suluk al-Surah al-Saghirah al-Suwar Suran al-Susah al-Sukhnah al-Tabni Talbiseh Taldou al-Tamanah Tasil Tell al-Daman Tell Hamis Tell Rifaat Tell Salhab Tell Tamer Tedef Thiban Uqayribat Urum al-Kubra Wadi al-Oyun al-Yaarubiyah al-Zirbah az-Ziyarah

v t e Suwayda Governorate
Shahba District Shahba Subdistrict Shahba Amrah Braykah Majadel Mardak al-Matunah Nimreh Salakhid Suwaymrah Taymah Umm Dubayb Umm al-Zaytun Ariqah Subdistrict Al-Ariqah Dama Deir Dama Harran Jirrin al-Kharsa Lubayn Sumayd Waqm Shaqqa Subdistrict Shaqqa Arajah Barik al-Buthainah Duma al-Hayyat Hit al-Junayneh al-Qasr al-Rudaymah Ta'lah Surah Saghirah Subdistrict Al-Surah al-Saghirah Dhakir Hazm al-Huquf al-Khalidiyah Khalkhalah Lahithah Rudaymat al-Liwa al-Salmiyah al-Surah al-Kabirah Umm Haratayn al-Ushayib
Suwayda District Suwayda Subdistrict Suwayda Aslihah Attil Dara Hibran Ira Jubayb al-Kafr Kafr al-Luhf Kanakir Kharaba Maf'aleh Masad Miyamas al-Mujaymer Qanawat al-Ruha Rasas Rimat Hazm Sahwat Balatah Sahwat al-Khudr Sakakah Slaim al-Tha'lah Walghah Mazra'ah Subdistrict Al-Mazra'ah al-Dur al-Duwayri Jidiyah al-Majdal Najran Qarrasa Rimat al-Luhf Sami' Ta'ara Tirah Mushannaf Subdistrict Al-Mushannaf Busan al-Ghaydah al-Kassib al-Ajaylat Rami al-Rushaydah Sa'nah Salah Shbeiki al-Shurayhi Tarba al-Tayyibah Umm Riwaq
Salkhad District Salkhad Subdistrict Salkhad al-Annat Awas al-Karbis Imtan al-Mashquq al-Munaydhrah Urman al-Uyun al-Rafqah Sama al-Bardan Shanirah Tahulah Qurayyah Subdistrict Al-Qurayya al-Afinah Burd Hout Ghariyah Subdistrict Al-Ghariyah Anz Khirbet Awad al-Mughayyir Dhibin Subdistrict Dhibin Bakka Umm al-Rumman Malah Subdistrict Malah Abu Zurayq Baham al-Harisi al-Huwayya Khazmah Qaysamah Sha'af al-Shi'ab Tell al-Lawz Tulaylin

• Cities in Syria
• Populated places in as-Suwayda District
• Archaeological sites in as-Suwayda Governorate
• Roman sites in Syria
• Druze communities in Syria
• Eastern Orthodox Christian communities in Syria