Syrian flags in Golan Heights
Photo: Avihu Shapira
Golan residents mark Syria's independence: 'We back Assad'
Hundreds of Druze wave Assad posters, Syrian flags. 'Golan Heights must be returned to Syria,' they say
Hundreds of Druze residing in the northern Golan Heights gathered in Majdal Shams on Tuesday to mark Syria's independence day.
Related articles:
- Palestinians block Israeli Druze singer's gig
- Syria-based couple gets West Bank wedding
- Lieberman to propose new Druze village
The celebrators, who waved Syrian flags and posters of Bashar Assad, said they support the embattled Syrian president. They also waved pictures of late Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser.
"We belong to Syria and support Assad. We will never cede the Golan Heights. This region is a part of Syria and it must be returned," said, Ataf, a resident of the Druze village Buka'ata.
Druze mark Syria's independence (Photo: Avihu Shapira)
According to him, reports of the continuous shelling of Homs by Assad's forces are false. "Assad is not doing anything in Homs. Foreign governments, such as the Turkish regime, are behind the attacks on Homs because they want Assad to fall. But he helps Lebanon and the Palestinians. I prefer living under Syrian rule – my family is there."
Samir of Ein Kinya also took part in the rally. "We back Assad completely because we do not want Syria to end up like Libya and Iraq. We support democracy," he said.
Syria was declared an independent country on April 17, 1946 following the withdrawal of French forces.
- Receive Ynetnews updates
directly to your desktop
