At least 20 Syrian soldiers killed in ambush
PBS NewsHourAug 08, 2023
The Facts
Protesters gathered in dozens of towns and villages in Syria's southern Sweida governorate on Tuesday, chanting anti-government slogans in demonstration against the country's economic situation. Syrian authorities have not commented on the protests as of yet.
Demonstrations also erupted over the weekend in the neighboring Daraa governorate, with some raising the opposition flag and calling for the overthrow of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad. Protests over recurrent power cuts also occurred in the Damascus suburb of Jaramana.
The Spin
Narrative A
As Syrians from all walks of life continue to demand freedom and dignity, the Assad regime has only become more authoritarian and barbaric, killing hundreds of thousands and destroying its own country just to stay in power. As Syria's financial condition worsens and the state fails to provide basic amenities, such protests will only escalate. Assad's grip on power is hanging by a thread.
Anti-Iran narrative
It is critical that one focuses on the Iranian element of the protests in southern Syria. Iran, which supports terror groups throughout the Middle East, is one of the leading causes of Syria's instability as it funds gangs and smugglers who traffic illicit narcotics throughout the region, primarily from their bases in the country's south. Iran must be expelled from Syria.
Metaculus Prediction
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