Clashes continued in Daraa city for a fourth day on Thursday between groups accused of belonging to the Islamic State and armed former opposition groups, alongside the military security-affiliated 8th Brigade led by Ahmed al-Awda.
By targeting top civilian and military leaders who were the cornerstones of local negotiating committees through a series of assassinations, Damascus has successfully marginalized Daraa’s bargaining power.
Following military escalation in the western Daraa countryside this week, a preliminary ceasefire agreement was reached between Tafas city negotiators and the regime for “wanted individuals” to leave the city.
In southern Syria, at least 11 people accused of ties to the drug trade were assassinated over the past three months, in what one former opposition commander called a “local, covert military action against drug traffickers and dealers.”
Jordanian officials have termed their response to increased drug smuggling across Syria’s southern border a “war on drugs.” But the country’s options to address the roots of the problem are limited.
Amid continuing assassinations in Daraa province and the convergence of some parties’ interests against others, the pattern of assassinations remains the same, supporting the idea that the perpetrators, too, remain the same.
While the regime and its allies seek to legitimize Bashar al-Assad’s rule through the upcoming presidential elections, key players in southern Syria stress its lack of credibility.
Youssef al-Hamad had no choice but to perform mandatory military service after his attempt to resume his studies at Damascus University failed.
In a new podcast series, Syria Direct presents the experiences of displaced Syrians.
Who are the main leaders of the "reconciliation" process in southern Syria?
