• Anti-government protests in southern Syria, specifically the predominantly Druze governorate of Sweida, have entered their second week, with demonstrators burning banners of Syrian Pres. Bashar al-Assad and shutting down several offices of the ruling Baath party. Associated Press (LR: 3 CP: 5)
• Protests erupted last week in Sweida city in response to the government's decision to cut fuel subsidies, leading to an increase in prices amid already deteriorating living conditions. Protests have spread to other regions of Syria, such as neighboring Daraa. The Times of Israel
• Sweida didn't see much fighting in the country's civil war but has remained an unstable region, with tensions between the region's Druze community and the government periodically boiling over, most recently over allegations of government involvement in the illicit narcotics trade. The National
• Protests have increasingly called for the overthrow of Assad and his government. Syria's internal security forces have a limited presence in Sweida, and the government usually follows a hands-off approach with the Druze community. Al Arabiya English
• Neighboring Daraa, which also saw demonstrations, experienced heavy fighting during the civil war. The government returned to Daraa in 2018, but the region has faced low-intensity insurgency as well as compounding economic issues. The Times of Israel
• Since the beginning of the year, the Syrian pound has devalued from 7K to the US dollar to 15K. The government, which is low on funds, has cut subsidies, leading to cost increases in public transport and fuel fares in the face of the economic effects of the civil war and sanctions placed on the Syrian government. FOX News (LR: 4 CP: 4)

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.
  Middle East Eye

Narrative B:

• 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.
  FOX News (LR: 4 CP: 4)