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?
Contrary to what many analysts have said, Russia and Iran are coming closer together in southern Syria, not farther apart.
The number of assassinations in Daraa have sharply increased over the last six months as the reconciliation process falters.
