What was behind Daraa’s rapid fall, and did HTS participate?
Local armed groups seized control of Syria’s southern Daraa province in a matter of hours on Friday. Why was the fall so sudden, and was HTS involved?
8
12, 2024
6
12, 2024
Hope and suspense in East Ghouta as the regime loses ground
The view from the ground in the East Ghouta suburbs of Damascus is one of a worried regime withdrawing its forces from the interior of cities and reinforcing checkpoints on their outskirts “for fear of being targeted,” residents say.
8
11, 2024
Hezbollah and Iran-backed militias reposition in Syria
Their positions exposed, Hezbollah and Iranian-backed militias are repositioning themselves in Syria to avoid being targeted, while Russia uses its own forces as a counterbalance.
3
10, 2024
Will Iran’s proxies in Syria mobilize in support of Hezbollah?
As Israel wages a full-blown aerial and ground campaign in Lebanon, will Iran’s proxies in Syria come to the aid of its beleaguered ally Hezbollah?
29
08, 2024
Baath Party eyes a comeback in Daraa
The Baath Party is working to restore its activities and role in Syria’s southern Daraa province, while its headquarters remain closed in many cities and towns six years after the return of regime institutions.
11
07, 2024
The short arm of the law: Daraa police absent or constrained
Most of Daraa’s cities and towns have no police stations nearly six years after returning to Damascus’ control. Where police are present, they have limited powers or work under the watchful eyes of settlement factions.
13
06, 2024
Hostages and siege: Daraa frees detainees by any means necessary
For several months, local armed groups in Daraa have resorted to a strategy often used in neighboring Suwayda province: taking hostages and besieging regime security headquarters to force the release of detainees when attempts at civil mediation fail.
10
06, 2024
Daraa communities foot the bill for public education
Facing a teacher shortage and little government support, communities in Daraa are turning to alternative solutions: providing financial bonuses to keep underpaid teachers in classrooms and repairing school buildings themselves.
21
05, 2024
‘A government job is a burden’: Syrian regime institutions bleed staff
Increasing numbers of Syrian public sector employees left their jobs due to low pay and high living costs over the past three years, despite the fact that quitting without permission is a criminal offense.
4
04, 2024
Daraa residents turn to clan reconciliation over the court system
People in Syria’s southern Houran region have long turned to clan reconciliation processes to resolve thorny disputes. The practice increased after 2011, and peaked over the past three years, with residents choosing the clans over the courts with the encouragement of regime legal representatives.