Syrian authorities said Sunday that legal procedures are underway to release individuals detained during recent unrest in the town of Ain Mneen, as residents staged peaceful demonstrations, shuttered shops and local officials resigned in protest over the arrests.
Protests, Detentions and a Full Municipal Resignation
Tensions rose sharply in Ain Mneen on Sunday as residents held a peaceful sit-in and observed a broad commercial closure. According to local sources and reporting by Enab Baladi, demonstrators demanded the release of all detainees arrested during Friday’s confrontation — including university students, elderly residents, shop owners and local workers — and called for accountability for security personnel accused of assaulting civilians.
In a video circulated online, the town’s mayor announced his resignation, along with the entire municipal council, before a reconciliation committee.
“Residents stand with the state, not against it; they are simply demanding their rights,” he said, adding that municipal leaders would refuse any negotiations until all detainees are freed and those responsible for the assaults are held accountable.
By Sunday afternoon, calm had reportedly returned to Ain Mneen, with discussions underway over possible negotiated solutions.
Interior Ministry Addresses the Arrests
The Rural Damascus Internal Security Command said in a statement carried by state media that the Ministry of Interior recognises the constitutional right to peaceful assembly. Officials said the initial gathering in Ain Mneen two days earlier lacked legal authorization and involved physical attacks on security personnel.
Authorities stressed that arrests were limited to individuals accused of rioting and disturbing public order, and insisted that peaceful demonstrators were not targeted. They added that legal procedures are being finalised to release the detainees once standard undertakings are completed.
Water Dispute Sparked the Confrontation
The unrest began Friday, July 31, when heavy machinery belonging to the regional water authority arrived in the Ba’arjal area near Ain Mneen. Residents attempted to block the equipment, fearing that new drilling operations would drain the local groundwater basin. The confrontation escalated quickly, resulting in injuries and multiple arrests.
The Rural Damascus Media Directorate rejected claims that a new well was being drilled, saying the machinery was deployed solely to conduct maintenance on an existing well to improve drinking-water access. Officials added that community representatives had been briefed on the project beforehand.
Officials Reject Reports of Damascus Market Strike
Separately, Syrian officials denied widespread social-media reports claiming that major commercial markets in central Damascus — including Al-Hamidiyah, Al-Hariqa and Midhat Pasha — had launched a solidarity strike with Ain Mneen.
The head of the Al-Hamidiyah Commercial Market Committee told Syria TV that no general strike had taken place. He said a small number of shop owners briefly closed their stores to attend a solidarity gathering, while images circulating online of shuttered storefronts were taken early in the morning before businesses opened, creating a misleading impression of widespread closures.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
