The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Death toll update | Nine members of 5th Corps killed and 20 others injured in IED explosion in eastern Daraa

Daraa Province – Syrian Observatory for Human Rights: SOHR has monitored a spike in the death toll due to the IED explosion which targeted a bus of the Russian-backed 5th Corps. Observatory activists have documented the killing of at least nine members of the 5th Corps, while nearly 19 others were injured, some sustained serious wounds.

 

SOHR sources have just reported that an IED exploded in a bus of the Russian-backed 5th Corps on the road to Al-Kuhayl town in eastern Daraa. The death toll is expected to rise because of the serious injuries of some casualties, while unconfirmed reports suggested there were more casualties.

 

It is worth noting that the 5th Corps comprises former opposition fighters who reconciled and settled their security status with the Syrian regime.

 

SOHR sources reported on June 17 that Daraa governorate was witnessing an escalation in the hidden conflict between the 5th Corps formed by Russia and the 4th Division led by Maher al-Assad, brother of the Syrian regime’s president. Meanwhile, the race continued by both sides to impose full control on Daraa.

 

As the Fifth Corps strengthened its presence and became the largest force on the ground, the Fourth Division has recently returned to to the scene.

 

According to Observatory sources, the Fourth Division intended to recruit men and young men, especially former opposition fighters by offering monthly salaries and other incentives.

 

The Fourth Division recently managed to attract new batch of recruits, comprising dozens of fighters who were sent to checkpoints after undergoing to military trainings in the western countryside of Daraa.

 

And yet, the Russians still have the upper hand on the ground through the Fifth Corps, which includes former opposition fighters who refused to flee their areas and got their status settled.