Here, a resident of Suwayda city who helps run the pro-regime “A-Suwayda” news page and requested anonymity talks toOsama Abu Zeid about the state of the province as the armed opposition approaches.
Q: How are the civilians of Suwayda reacting to the opposition's approach?
“The city and province in general enjoy high morale in the face of terrorism, and have announced their readiness to fight next to the Syrian Arab Army to preserve the province's security.”
Q: What about the talk about the formation of a fighting battalion made up of Suwayda residents to protect the city? Is this battalion loyal to the army or independent?
“There is no independent brigade. Young men who have refused to be recruited outside of the province volunteered for the National Defense Forces militias, the reserves for the army, in order to fight in the province and protect Suwayda. We do not attack others, and will not allow anyone to attack us. We will react disproportionately to anyone who tries to attack our pure land, and will not allow anyone to dishonor us.”