Reports | 25 05 2020
An image of Russian President Vladimir Putin joined those of Bashar al-Assad and his allies, hanging in various areas of the Syrian capital Damascus areas—but in a somewhat different fashion!
In a peaceful activity in opposition to the Syrian regime, activists distribute images of Moscow’s number one man, Vladimir Putin, in the streets of the capital Damascus. The images were stained with blood, in reference to the rejection of the Russian intervention in Syria.
On the Walls of 10 Neighborhoods
The activists distributed Putin’s pictures, onto which was written "killer of the Syrian people," in the neighborhoods of Muahjreen, Abu Rummanneh, al-Malki, al-Midan, al-Mujtahid, al-Baramkeh, Old Damascus, al-Halbouni, al-Tiliani, and Medhat Pasha; as well as parts of the eastern Ghuta and Muadamiyat al-Sham, and south of the capital.
In a video clip posted online, activists alluded to "statistics that prove the involvement of Russia in the killing of civilians; as well as documenting the residential and vital areas long under Russian bombardment."
An Activity that Carries Three Messages
Abu Wael, one of the activity’s planners in the capital, tells Rozana: "This activity aims to deliver several messages; first to the Syrian regime, to prove that the revolution is not dead, despite all attempts by Assad to suppress it; and that the peaceful activities are still ongoing in Damascus, despite all the security restrictions that we experience."
The second message, Abu Wael stresses is "directed to the world and public opinion to expose Russia’s lie that claims it is fighting the Islamic State organization [Daesh]—whereas most of its strikes actually target civilians in the liberated areas. The third message is addressed to Russia; we as a people, will not be silent vis-a-vis its violations, and we will try all we can to expose its criminal behavior—equal to Assad’s criminality."
He explains that this activity’s idea was inspired by past activities, carried out by Al-Silmiyyeh [peacefulness] team in Damascus, that had been centered on the “Assad’s criminality," as he puts it.
How Was the Activity Carried Out?
Posting Putin’s images in such a manner, in more than 10 districts of the capital—under control of the full force of the regime security; is anything but a simple task. It involves significant risks.
“The manner in which such activities are implemented is multi-stage. After the activity’s idea is proposed, discussed, and studied from all possible perspectives; comes the planning for proper times and places for its implementation. The team is divided into groups, with each group handling a specific [geographic] area,” says Abu Radwan al-Shami, one of the activity’s animators.
He adds that the activity’s aim is media-related. The regime constantly tries to prevent the implementation of any activity in opposition thereto. He explains: "The regime is as fearful of these activities as it is of armed activities. The arrest and prosecution of peaceful activists is, but evidence of the regime’s fear of these activities."
According to al-Shami, the ostensible simplicity of the activity notwithstanding; the risks attached are huge. In Damascus, one cannot easily distinguish the regime’s security elements—who may be dressed in civilian attire! He points out that "such activities are chiefly directed at the grey [non-committed] and removed from reality audience. They ought to know that neither the regime nor the variety of militants of different colors are alone as authors of death; but that there is a Western-Russian-Iranian meddling—as well as others—all of whom are partners of the regime in the killing of the Syrian people."
Peacefulness—The Spirit of the Revolution…
Salma al-Homsi, a participant in the Damascus activity, sees that peaceful activities—despite dwindling in importance at a time when arms are in control—still manage, in the simplest of terms, that revolutionary thought is still present in Damascus and between its people; and that is only obscured as a result of fear and repression, she says.
She also confirms that their team is independent, unaffiliated with any party inside or outside Syria; it receives support from one. Their basic goal is the continuation of peaceful and civilian activity, and spreading the Syrian Revolution’s concepts, and its demands for freedom and dignity; in a city considered the most dangerous and the most important for the Syrian regime.
As to not receiving support from any opposition party, al-Homsi muses on the reasons therefore: "We do not want to count on [the support of] any of the opposition parties, which are now splintered. There is no party that represents the activities we undertake inside [Syria]. The biggest proof of such, is that most of our activities are absent in the media outlets affiliated to the opposition."
It is to be noted that this activity was not the first of its kind in Damascus. During 2015, the capital has witnessed several similar peaceful activities, most recent of which was the distribution of flowers to homes with a message, reminding of the initial objectives of the Syrian Revolution. Another activity also included the distribution of leaflets reminding of detainees, in the form of currency notes distributed in Damascus neighborhoods, as part of the “Save the Rest” campaign; in addition to many other campaigns, the instigators of which say they are continuing, and are intent on incrementing the pace thereof.