Syrians tear down poster of Assad in Sweida as protests swell


People take part in a protest against Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in the southern Druze city of Sweida, Syria, September 8, 2023. Suwayda 24/Handout via REUTERS

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Demonstrators in the southern Syrian city of Sweida tore down a portrait of President Bashar al-Assad on Friday as anti-government protests that began three weeks ago swelled with crowds coming in from surrounding villages.

In footage posted on activist pages, a group of men could be seen ripping a banner portraying Assad's face that was hanging above the local branch of the Farmers' Union.

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